The Wisconsin Budget Project has analyzed new figures from the U.S. Census Bureau on state and local spending and revenue. The Census Bureau figures reveal that Wisconsin has fallen to 25th among the states in total state and local spending per capita, down from 14th highest in 2000. On total state and local taxes per person, Wisconsin has dropped from 9th in 2000 to 20th in 2007; per capita state and local taxes in Wisconsin were $65 below the national average in fiscal year 2007.

In total state and local taxes relative to income, Wisconsin ranked 13th in fiscal year 2007, compared to 5th in 2000 (including District of Columbia). Wisconsin continues to rely less on fees and other revenue sources than most other states, and now ranks 39th in that category, 13% below the national average. Wisconsin fell to 46th in per capita federal revenue. In what is called “own source” revenue – which combines all state and local taxes, fees and things like interest earnings, but excludes federal revenue – Wisconsin fell to 26th in the per capita ranking (5% below the national average) and 23rd when it is measured relative to income.

For more information, see our short paper about the Census Bureau’s recent release of data on state and local spending and revenue.