The Institute of Social & Economic Research

The Alaska Citizen's Guide to the Budget

Financial Assistance
provided by:
Fiscal Policy Council of Alaska

Comparisons
Comparisons
Outlays—Per Capita
Outlays—Big Items
Outlays—History
Outlays—Rankings
Jobs and Payroll—Per Capita
Jobs and Payroll—Big Items
Jobs and Payroll—History
Jobs and Payroll—Rank
Assets and Debt
Financing Govt.
Compare Wyoming
Why Alaska Spends More
Tax Burden
State Share

 

4. Comparisons to Other States

4.9 Alaska Financial Assets and Debt
Compared to the U.S. Average

Public Financial Assets per capita in Alaska were 5 times the national average in 1996. This is primarily due to the Alaska Permanent Fund.

Per Capita Public Financial Assets in 1996
 
Alaska
Alaska with COLA to U.S. Price Level
U.S. Avg
Ratio AK with COLA / U.S.
Total Cash and Security Holdings
$56,697
$45,809
$8,526
5.37
Employee Retirement
$12,862
$10,392
$4,703
2.21
Other Insurance Trusts
$293
$236
$308
.77
Other
$43,543
$35,181
$3,515
10.01
Sources: U.S. Dept of Commerce, Governmental Finances, and ISER.

 

Public Debt per capita in Alaska was twice the national average, but most of that consisted of long-term revenue bonds for private purposes (housing and business loans). Revenue bonds are not backed by the full faith and credit of the state.

Public Debt Outstanding in 1996 Per Capita
 
Alaska
Alaska with COLA to U.S. Price Level
U.S. Avg
Ratio AK with COLA / U.S.
Total
$11,201
$9,050
$4,409
2.05
...Short Term
$57
$46
$91
.50
...Long Term
$11,145
$9,004
$4,319
2.09
......Full-faith and Credit
$3,132
$2,530
$1,506
1.68
......Non-guaranteed
$8,013
$6,474
$2,812
2.30
Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce, Governmental Finances, and ISER.

 

Long-term Public Debt Outstanding in 1996 Per Capita
 
Alaska
Alaska with COLA to U.S. Price Level
U.S. Avg
Ratio AK with COLA / U.S.
Total
$11,145
$9,004
$4,319
2.09
..Public Debt for Private Purposes
$5,450
$4,403
$1,178
3.74
..Education
$722
$583
$690
.85
..Utilities
$1,216
$982
$642
1.53
..Other
$3,757
$3,035
$1,809
1.68
Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce, Governmental Finances, and ISER.

 
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Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage
Mailing Address: 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Physical Address: 4500 Diplomacy Drive, Suite 501, Anchorage, Alaska 
(907)786-7710

Page Updated April 16, 2003

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