Federal Government Spending in Florida

The U.S. Census Bureau released the Consolidated Federal Funds Report (CFFR) for Fiscal Year 2010 this week. This report presents data on federal government expenditures in each state and the U.S. Outlying Areas regarding spending for retirement and disability payments, other direct payments (including food and income benefits), grants, procurement, and salaries and wages. The following is a quick look at federal expenditures in Florida.

Federal expenditures in Florida totaled $186 billion in 2010, out of a U.S. total of $3,276 billion. The following chart shows the categorical distribution of those expenditures.

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Overall, Florida received 5.7% of federal expenditures by state area (Florida has 6% of the U.S. resident population). The highest percentage by category was 7.7% for other direct payments, which is expected due to the large low income population in the state. This was closely followed by 7% for retirement and disability. The lowest percentage by category was for grants received, which was only 4.1%. This is surprising given the number of research universities in Florida.

Although NASA is Florida’s most well-known federal program, Florida does not receive a large amount of NASA’s expenditures by state area. Of the total spending by NASA on grants, procurement, and salaries and wages, Florida receives about $1.1 billion or 5%. Most of NASA’s spending is in California and Texas according to the CFFR.

The CFFR also presents data on federal assistance programs for loans and insurance. Florida receives about 36% of the national total for insurance programs, by far the largest recipient of federal insurance aid. This is primarily due to the $477 billion received for flood insurance.


The CFFR can be accessed at www.census.gov/govs/cffr. For further research regarding federal spending, contact Bennett Research Services at www.bennettrearchservices.com