RIPEC: R.I. among one of the highest spending states nationally

RHODE ISLAND'S TOTAL EXPENDITURES of $236.12 per $1,000 of personal income exceeded the national average of $228.58 by 3.3 percent, ranking the state 19th highest in the nation. Total per capita expenditures of $10,899 were higher than the national average of $10,202 by nearly 7 percent, ranking the state 13th highest nationally, according to the Rhode Island Expenditure Council's latest report,
RHODE ISLAND'S TOTAL EXPENDITURES of $236.12 per $1,000 of personal income exceeded the national average of $228.58 by 3.3 percent, ranking the state 19th highest in the nation. Total per capita expenditures of $10,899 were higher than the national average of $10,202 by nearly 7 percent, ranking the state 13th highest nationally, according to the Rhode Island Expenditure Council's latest report, "How Rhode Island Expenditures Compare, 2015 Edition." / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC EXPENDITURE COUNCIL

(Updated 11:38 a.m.)
PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island’s total state and local government expenditures exceeded all New England states except Vermont when measured on a personal income basis, but were fourth highest when measured on a per capita basis, according to the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council.

The nonprofit RIPEC released its annual report, “How Rhode Island Expenditures Compare, 2015 Edition,” on Monday, providing details on state and local government expenditures in fiscal 2013, the most recent year for available national data.

The report looks at the Ocean State’s spending in comparison with the other 49 states and the national average based on U.S. Census Bureau data.
In fiscal 2013, Rhode Island state and local government expenditures surpassed the national average when measured on personal income and per capita bases.
Total expenditures of $236.12 per $1,000 of personal income exceeded the national average of $228.58 by 3.3 percent. Total per capita expenditures of $10,899 were higher than the national average of $10,202 by nearly 7 percent.

Vermont had total expenditures of $260.14 per $1,000 of personal income, leading New England. On a per capita basis, Massachusetts led New England at $12,161, followed by Connecticut at $11,654 and Vermont at $11,603.

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The Ocean State also ranked 19th highest in the nation on a personal income basis, and 13th highest on a per capita basis, RIPEC said.

Direct general expenditures – these exclude utility, liquor store and insurance trust spending – accounted for most government spending in fiscal 2013.

That year, state and local direct general expenditures in Rhode Island were $194.08 per $1,000 of personal income, compared with $188.30 per $1,000 of personal income nationally, ranking it 23rd nationally and third highest in New England. Per capita expenditures were $8,959 in Rhode Island, or 6.6 percent greater than the national average of $8,404 per capita, ranking it 14th nationally and fourth highest in New England.

Vermont’s state and local direct expenditures were $235.12 per $1,000 of personal income, the highest in New England and fifth highest nationally. Maine was second highest in New England at $211.39 per $1,000 of personal income and 10th nationally.

On a per capita expenditure basis, Vermont again led the New England states at $10,487, followed by Massachusetts at $9,876 and Connecticut, $9,711.

The Census Bureau classifies direct general expenditures within the following categories: education and libraries, social services and income maintenance, transportation, public safety, environment and housing, government administration and interest on general debt, and other, RIPEC said.

RIPEC said Rhode Island government expenditures exceeded the national average in fiscal 2013 on a per capita basis in the following categories: education and libraries, social services and income maintenance, public safety, government administration and interest on general debt, and other expenditures. Per capita transportation, and environment and housing expenditures trailed the national average during the same fiscal year, RIPEC said.
Elementary and secondary education spending drove state government spending in Rhode Island and nationwide. RIPEC said Rhode Island continues to rank in the top half of the country for K-12 spending, spending the eighth-most nationally on both per capita and personal income bases.
Other report highlights:

  • Public safety expenditures are among the highest in the nation, ranking seventh highest in the nation on a per capita basis and 10th highest on a personal income basis
  • Rhode Island had the highest level of fire protection expenditures in the nation on both a per capita and personal income basis. Fire protection expenditures of $293 per capita during fiscal 2013 were more than twice the national average of $138 per capita. The state’s fire protection expenditures of $6.34 per $1,000 of personal income were also more than twice the national average of $3.09 per $1,000 of personal income.

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