EMBARGOED UNTIL: JUNE 18, 1996 (TUESDAY) Public Information Office CB96-92 301-457-3030 301-457-4067 (TDD) Robert McArthur 301-457-1565 FEDERAL AID SURPASSES $5,000 PER PERSON IN FISCAL YEAR 1995 EMBARGOED UNTIL: JUNE 18, 1996 (TUESDAY) - The federal government provided $1.4 trillion in domestic grants, benefits, subsidies, salaries, and goods and services purchased in FY 1995, according to two reports issued today by the Commerce Department's Census Bureau. That amounts to $5,161 for every person in the U.S. "These reports provide the most comprehensive information on the geographic distribution of federal funds," said Robert McArthur, chief of the Governments Division's Federal Programs Branch. The reports, "Federal Expenditures by State for Fiscal Year 1995" (FES/95) and "Consolidated Federal Funds Report, Fiscal Year 1995, County Areas" (CFFR/95) exclude interest on federal debt and other federal payments, such as coverage for failed savings and loans, that could not be allocated geographically. California received the most federal funds of any state area, followed by New York and Texas. New York City received more than any other county or county equivalent area in the U.S. or its territories. New York City and Los Angeles County each received more federal money than did 43 states. However, on a per capita basis, New York City would rank 490th and Los Angeles County would rank 1,209th among the 3,137 counties and county equivalent areas in the U.S., in terms of Federal funds received. Nationally, federal domestic assistance in 1995 increased 3.3 percent over 1994. The main components of the increase were grants and direct payments to individuals. According to the reports, federal government payroll expenditures totaled $168 billion, virtually unchanged from 1994. Federal government procurement contract obligations totaled $202 billion in 1995, a 2 percent increase from 1994. The top five states in federal spending per capita were: Rank State Amount Per Capita 1 Virginia $7,830 2 Maryland $7,361 3 New Mexico $7,130 4 Alaska $6,927 5 Hawaii $6,386 The county report shows the top five recipient county areas were: Rank County/County Equivalent Amount 1 New York City, NY $40.6 billion 2 Los Angeles County, CA $40.2 billion 3 Cook County, IL $23.0 billion 4 San Diego County, CA $16.5 billion 5 Philadelphia County, PA $12.2 billion Direct payments for individuals was the largest federal spending category in each of those top five counties. Defense spending, which includes payroll, defense contracts and grants, and military pensions, totaled $228 billion in 1995. The top five recipient counties of federal defense spending were: Rank County Amount 1 Los Angeles County, CA $7.9 billion 2 San Diego County, CA $7.4 billion 3 St. Louis City, MO $5.7 billion 4 Newport News City, VA $4.2 billion 5 Fairfax County, VA $4.2 billion Editor's note: media representatives may obtain copies of the report from the Census Bureau's Public Information Office on 301-457-3030, fax: 301-457-3670, or e-mail; pio@census.gov. Other orders should be directed to the bureau's Fastfax: 1-900-555-2FAX (there is a nominal fee); Customer Services Branch on 301-763-INFO(4636); or fax: 301-457-3842.
-X-
