The relative size of government has been a continuing public policy
concern. Size and growth questions have been important at the state
and local levels, as demonstrated by several state referenda to limit
federal, state, or local expenditures. Some evidence for those
discussions can be drawn from data on trends of spending activity,
using information form the department of commerce?s survey of current
business (monthly) and the census bureau?s government finances
(annual). From those sources, prepare answers to these questions about
the size of government in the united states.


A)    has the public sector grown relative to the private sector? How
does the size of the federal government compare with that of state and
local government? (a benchmark for comparison is the percentage of
gross domestic product or personal income accounted for by the
appropriate sector.)

B)     which sectors have grown fastest? Compare growth of the public
sector in your state with that of its neighbors and of the nations.
Why might a comparison based on expenditure growth differ from one
based on employment?

C)    Which functions account for the greatest share of federal,
state, and local government expenditures? Does the pattern differ much
among states?

D)    What is the relative significance of local government compared
to state government expenditures in your state? (CA) (Make the
comparison first counting state aid to local government as state
expenditure. Then, omit that portion from state expenditure.) How does
your state compare with its neighbors and the nation?