Vermont tops in landing federal money

Based on Census data, federal funds come at twice the national rate. The state is second only to Washington, D.C., in per-capita federal aid.


By Sam Hemingway, Free Press Staff Writer • Thursday, March 11, 2010


Vermont does better than any other state when it comes to qualifying for federal money distributed on the basis of census data, a new study has found.

The study, by the Brookings Institution, determined that Vermont — on a per-capita basis — received money at double the national average, according to fiscal 2008 figures. Only the District of Columbia, home of the federal government, landed more money on a per-capita basis, $4,656.06.

According to the Brookings data, Vermont received almost $1.79 billion in federal money in fiscal 2008 based on Census-related statistics, or $2,873.67 per capita. The per-capita average for the country was $1,469.

Alaska finished just behind Vermont, with a per-capita figure of $2,574.68. Nevada was last, with a per-capita figure of $742.42.

“There are many reasons why the 2010 Census is important, but this shows what Vermont has at stake in dollars and cents,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. “When Vermonters go uncounted, Vermont loses resources.”

Andrew Reamer, a Brookings Institution fellow and author of the report, agreed. The 2010 Census forms are beginning to arrive at homes around the state and nation.

“More than any other state in the nation, Vermonters’ participation in the Census process has had positive fiscal consequences,” Reamer said.

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http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100311/NEWS02/100310037/Vermont-tops-in-landing-federal-money

Thus any federal funds secured for us by our fine Congressmen are likely to be more per capita than the same funds for a more populated state.