From Deseret News archives:
Per capita ranking OK, officials say
Only Nevada ranked lower than the $6,162 per capita spent in Utah, according to the "Consolidated Federal Funds Report: 2006," released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
When it comes to total federal funds, California got the biggest share 10.3 percent of the $2.45 trillion the federal government spent domestically in 2006. The spending marks a 7.5 percent boost nationwide over 2005.
Utah received $15.7 billion less than 1 percent of the total.
States at the top end of the report's per capita spending received more than double the amount spent in Utah.
However, state economist Juliette Tennert said the reason for Utah's shortfall isn't necessarily the state not getting its fair share. She points out that the top two states, Louisiana and Mississippi, received $16,263 and $14,516 per capita, respectively. Both of them, however, were recovering from Hurricane Katrina in 2006, and likely received large amounts of federal relief in its aftermath.
Another example was Alaska, which has a relatively small population that inflates the per capita amount.
"We don't have a lot of federal employees in Utah, and some of those government programs, relative to the rest of the nation," she said. "Utah doesn't have high participation in TANIF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), Medicare or Medicaid."
Nearly half of all domestic spending $1.16 trillion went to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, according to the census report. And some $739 billion went to retirement and disability.
Utah, which has long been the nation's youngest state, doesn't receive as much federal funding in those areas as some other states, Tennert said.
"We have a lot of kids relative to adults," she said. "We're very young ... Because of our unique population, even though we are low, we are getting our fair share."
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said in a statement that the per capita numbers are no surprise given Utah's demographics as "a young population with many children and young families, people who live healthy lifestyles and are self-reliant and a very vibrant economy."
Hatch suggested that a better measure would show Utah's federal funding in areas such as transportation, defense spending and government contracting.
Comments
- Soccer MVPs know how to win 1:56 a.m.
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009 1:56 a.m.
- High school soccer: Past MVPs 1:37 a.m.
- Senators want food tax restored 1:27 a.m.
- Utah women lag in higher education 1:16 a.m.
- Hatch empathizes with Muslims 1:14 a.m.
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP 1:13 a.m.
- Mitchell seeks to block witnesses 1:12 a.m.
- Party insiders may take on Bennett 1:11 a.m.
- Input sought on nondiscrimination 1:11 a.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- House passes health care bill
228 - TCU showdown has big implications
183 - Lobo suspended
182 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
118 - Thousands protest health bill
114 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
97 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...
I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...
hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...
play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...
I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...
That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...
I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...
I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...
BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...
i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!


You can be the first to comment on this story.