THE REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL EXPENDITURES, 1971-1980

Using a data base that includes total outlays by all federal executive agencies, this paper traces the distribution of federal spending in states and regions for the period 1971-1980. Although expenditures nearly tripled during this decade, the distributional pattern remained relatively stable when measured by total outlays. A less aggregate view, however, reveals that the Northeast and the Pacific states gained more than other areas from increased outlays for retirement programs and for military procurements. Despite these gains, the Northeast remained well behind the South and the West in total federal spending at the end of the decade.