Revision to State and Local Data for 2001, 2003

We have revised state and local spending and revenue data for 2001 and 2003.

For 2001 and 2003 the Census Bureau did not publish a local government survey sample, but only the raw Individual Unit Files.  UsGovernmentSpending.com has used the data from the Individual Unit Files, but they are incomplete for some states, and showed huge declines in spending in some categories such as Education.

We have revised the presentation of state and local spending and revenue data for 2001 and 2003 as follows.

1. State spending and revenue for each item is shown as published in the State Government Finances for 2001 and 2003.
2. Local spending for each item is shown for 2001 by taking the average for 2000 and 2002.
3. Local spending for each item is shown for 2003 by taking the average for 2002 and 2004.
4. Local revenue for each item is shown for 2001 by taking the 2000 local value and applying the rate of change between 2000 and 2001 for the state revenue item to the corresponding local revenue item.
5. Local revenue for each item is shown for 2003 by taking the 2002 local value and applying the rate of change between 2002 and 2003 for the state revenue item to the corresponding local revenue item.
6. State-and-local spending and revenue items for 2001 and 2003 are computed as the sum of the state value and the local value.

State-and-local and local spending and revenue items are tagged as "interpolated" for 2001 and 2003.

Thanks to Ed Nevins for his advice and counsel.