State and Local Government Spending Increases by 6.5 Percent in 2008, Census Bureau Reports
" State and local government spending increased by 6.5 percent in 2008, totaling more than $2.8 trillion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Education topped government spending ($826.1 billion), followed by public welfare ($404.6 billion), insurance trust expenditures ($234.6 billion), utilities ($193.4 billion) and highways ($153.5 billion).

“These data provide a detailed look at state and local government spending priorities,” said Lisa Blumerman, chief of the U.S. Census Bureau's Governments Division.

These findings come from the 2008 Annual Surveys of State and Local Government Finances, which includes data on revenues, expenditures, debt and assets (cash and security holdings) for state and local governments..."