RECENT TRENDS IN STATE SPENDING - PATTERNS, PROBLEMS, PROSPECTS

After more than three decades of institutional and fiscal capacity-bui lding, the debate over the states' commitment to their citizens and lo cal governments continues. Federal domestic disengagement, the nationa l recession, taxpayer unrest, and anti-incumbent sentiments, among oth er factors, have raised concerns about the states' performance. This a rticle reviews recent trends in state spending for public education, M edicaid, corrections, AFDC, and local aid to discern changes and asses s their implications for the states' role and record.