Date of Award
7-2010
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Public Policy and Management (PPM)
Department
Public Policy and Management
First Advisor
Dr Josephine LaPlante
Keywords
State Budgets, State Spending, Maine, Muskie School of Public Service
Abstract
The Great Recession of 2008-2010 is showing that the states and national government have spent too much. We need the vision of Thomas Friedman to move beyond our spending and planning habits of the past.1
In 2016, expenditures compared to 2006 will look very different, unlike the previous similarities of 1996 to 2006. This retraction, due to the recession and our government’s embracement of concerns about debt from policy wonks such as former US Comptroller David Walker, debt will have a significant affect on many populations of our society. Maine has been noted as being a state that looks after the downtrodden. We need to continue monitoring our spending in all arenas, but also find ways to make our society prosper by increasing and restructuring education expenditures and certain infrastructure projects. “The term infrastructure has been used since 1927 to refer collectively to the roads, bridges, rail lines, and similar public works that are required for an industrial economy or a portion of it to function.” The intent of this study is to analyze what Maine spent in 1996 and 2006. But the greater importance is for us to figure out as a country and a state where our priorities lie. What levels of spending are crucial for Maine to continue, lessen or strengthen? What components of spending do we need to emphasize in 2010 and beyond?
Recommended Citation
Boyd, Ryan, "A Comparison of Maine’s Per Capita Spending, 1996-2006 to the US and Other States" (2010). Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations. 34.
https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/muskie_capstones/34
