After nearly a decade of explosive growth, federal spending in Alaska has turned flat. A new analysis of federal spending in Alaska by Scott Goldsmith, professor of economics at ISER, finds that except for temporary stimulus funds provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, federal spending in the state has been roughly the same for the past several years.
The analysis discusses the composition of federal spending in Alaska, reviews stimulus spending, and provides examples of the importance of federal funds to the state economy. It also corrects a serious error in data reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce on federal spending in Alaska.
See the full analysis (950.8KB), Federal Spending in Alaska: Running Out of Steam? by Scott Goldsmith, ISER Web Note 11.
If you have questions, get in touch with Scott Goldsmith at 786-7710 or osgoldsmith@uaa.alaska.edu.
The Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) was established by the Alaska Legislature in 1961. ISER's research spans Alaska's modern history, examining everything from the effects of the massive 1964 earthquake to the current debate over how to help Alaska's troubled salmon industry.
ISER enhances the well-being of Alaskans and others, through non-partisan research that helps people understand social and economic systems and supports informed public and private decision-making.
Policymakers and private citizens alike use ISER research. In recent years, ISER has increasingly drawn communities, school districts, and universities–as well as Alaska Native and other private organizations–into research projects.
