New York State government’s per-capita spending in 2005 was the fourth highest in the nation and 43 percent above the national average, a Public Policy Institute analysis of new Census Bureau data shows.

The new data detailed the revenue and spending of all 50 states (including certain public authorities, but not including local governments) in 2005. New York State's per-capita spending was $7,082 that year, well above the $4,961 national average. The only states that spent more were Vermont ($7,127), Wyoming ($7,861), and Alaska ($12,146).

New York's per-capita state tax burden in 2005 was the 11th highest in the nation at $2,598. That number, 19 percent above the national average, includes all state taxes collected, but does not include local property or other taxes.

The analysis also found:

• New York spent more on welfare, including some Medicaid spending, than any other state in the country. The $2,209 per-capita total was 78 percent above the national average of $1,244.

• New York’s debt in 2005 was $5,280 – the fifth highest in the nation and 96 percent above the national average of $2,693.

• The state ranked sixth in per-capita spending on health care at $285. That number was 73 percent above the national average of $165.

• Per-capita hospital spending in New York was $211 in 2005, 46 percent above the national average.

•The state’s per-capita education spending was 8 percent above the national average at $1,657– 18th in the nation.

The Census Bureau data are available at www.census.gov/govs/www/state05.html.

Per-capita state spending and taxes, 2005