Because all the details of his budget have not been released, their effects on local spending remain uncertain.

In 2006 this represented 33% (62 billion Euro) of local spending.

Each year from 1970 to 1992, the proportion of local spending devoted to the poor ranged between 25 and 29 percent.

But whatever the explanation, there can be little doubt that local spending became a target for central control.

Total local spending will climb 8.9 percent, to $53.66 billion.

At the same time, local spending will rise only 3.1 percent, to $58 billion.

Central government now sought to reduce local spending as part of its general public expenditure strategy.

We have the lowest per capita state and local spending in the country.

Those figures do not include Federal and local spending.

Only about 6 per cent of local spending on services was currently contracted out.