This year’s state budget came in at $124 billion dollars. That makes New York the third-highest state spender in the nation, and represents about a $10 billion jump from last year.
But considered per capita, New York ranks behind several other states, including Alaska, Hawaii, Wyoming and Vermont.
This position may yet change—the budget numbers used for the 49 other states is from last year’s numbers. New York finalizes its state budget earlier than any other state in the nation, and well before the end of the fiscal year on June 30, which all other state governments wait for before determining their spending. Texas waits until the end of August to finalize its budget. Alabama and Michigan wait until the end of September.
New York, though, missed its March 31 deadline again this year, making for late budgets 21 of the last 24 years.