Defense spending and Employment; Information Limitations Impede Thorough Assessments
Abstract
The size of the defense budget is a pressing issue in the wake of the post Cold War reduction in defense spending and the priorities of balancing the federal budget. Moreover, the difficulties of determining the impacts and outcomes of budget decisions add to existing challenges. Congress and other decisionmakers have a practical and continuous need for information on defense related expenditures and employment in states. In response to your request, and discussions with your office, we examined defense and other federal spending in the state of New Mexico. Specifically, we examined (1) characteristics of New Mexico's economy and changes in it; (2) the amount of direct defense related and nondefense related federal spending in the state and the direct federal employment associated with both, over time; and (3) the extent to which available government data can provide reliable information on defense spending and employment. The last issue became a major component of our study, since the quality of the data directly affects what can be concluded about defense spending and employment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 14, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA336682
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office