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2008 :: Click below to view

May 07 2008 Cost of Iraq War Based on President's New Request

Contact:  Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
        413-584-9556 (o); 413-219-5658 (cell)

Now Available:
Local Cost of War Breakdowns Based on President's New Funding Request

As Congress considers President  Bush's request for another $178 billion in total war funding for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2008 and the first part of Fiscal Year 2009, the National Priorities Project (NPP) released today a state-level table and breakdowns of Iraq war spending costs by state, congressional district, county and town, showing the local cost of the additional request and what that amount of money could buy in domestic services for each locality instead.

Of the $178 billion war spending request, $135 billion is dedicated to the Iraq War, with close to $84 billion allocated for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2008 and almost $52 billion allocated for the start of Fiscal Year 2009.

NPP's state-level table shows the cost of the Iraq War thus far to each state, the cost to each state of the pending funding request and what that amount could buy each state in health care, school teachers and affordable housing. NPP's "trade-offs" page offers similar breakdowns by congressional district, county, town and state as well.  

For example, the cost to the median Congressional District for the additional war funding would be $284 million.  The cost to St. Louis would be $92 million, Sacramento $161 million, Houston $952 million and New York City $4.5 billion.

"Once again, Congress must decide whether it's going to write a blank check to continue this failed war or whether it's going to require some accountability to bring it  to an end," said Greg Speeter, spokesperson for the National Priorities Project.  "Voters have made clear that the loss of lives and dollars must stop and now is the time for Congress to show they're listening."

The National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent.  Located in Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional district and local levels.  For more information, go to http://nationalpriorities.org.

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Apr 07 2008 Tax Day: Military Gets 42 Percent of Every Tax Dollar
Contact: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (o); 413-219-5658 (cell)

TAXPAYERS SPENT OVER FORTY PERCENT OF EVERY INCOME TAX DOLLAR
ON MILITARY SPENDING; EDUCATION RECEIVED FOUR PERCENT

Northampton, MA -- As taxes come due on April 15th, taxpayers can take stock of how the federal government spent their 2007 income tax dollars: over 40 percent went towards military spending, while education received just over 4 percent, according to a new analysis released by the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-profit research organization that examines the local impact of federal spending policies.

In Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?, NPP offers a breakdown of how the federal government spent the median income family's 2007 tax payment in each state and almost 200 cities.

In 2007, according to the National Priorities Project, the federal government spent 42.2 percent of every income tax dollar on military spending. This figure includes 28.7 percent for current military and war spending, 10 percent for interest on military debt and 3.5 percent for veterans' benefits. At the same time, 8.7 percent went towards anti-poverty programs, 4.4 percent towards education, training and social services, and 2.6 percent towards the environment, energy and science programs.

"The current Administration made a priority of funding a half a trillion dollar war in Iraq and a yearly military budget of the same amount at the expense of virtually everything else," said Greg Speeter, spokesperson for the National Priorities Project. "Every elected official owes their taxpaying constituents an accounting for spending their tax dollars on war and excessive weapon systems while people struggle to hold onto their jobs and their homes."

The National Priorities Project is also the leading source for the cost of the Iraq War, offering breakdowns of the cost by state, city and congressional district.

NPP's latest tax day publication also looks ahead at the Bush Administration's proposed federal spending and tax cuts for Fiscal Year 2009. Under the President's proposal, the Iraq War would receive another $139 billion in Iraq War spending, bringing the total allocated to the war to $745 billion. Also under the President's proposal, tax cuts for the richest 10 per cent would cost $116.6 billion in Fiscal Year 2009. At the same time, spending on renewable energy and conservation would receive $1.3 billion.

"Voters have made clear in the latest polls that they are not happy with the country's current direction," noted Speeter. "With a quick look at how the government spent last year's income tax dollars, it's easy to see why."

The National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Located in Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional district and local levels. For more information, go to http://nationalpriorities.org.

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Mar 12 2008 Five years later: more money for war, less for people
Contact: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (o); 413-219-5658 (cell)


AT YEAR FIVE OF THE IRAQ WAR:
MORE WAR DOLLARS, MORE TAX CUTS, LESS FOR PEOPLE AT HOME

As the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War approaches on March 19th, American taxpayers should take stock of President Bush's priorities, according to a new publication by the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-profit research group that examines the local impact of federal spending priorities.

NPP's newly released state-level publication contrasts the cost of the Iraq War with the Bush Administration's proposed cuts to selected domestic programs and the cost of making the President's tax cuts permanent. Thus far, Congress has allocated a total of $522.5 billion to the Iraq War, according to NPP. This number is projected to climb to $745.7 billion by the end of Fiscal Year 2009.Cost of war breakdowns are available for each state.

At the same time, the President's budget for Fiscal Year 2009 proposes to cut a total of $5.4 billion from four domestic programs alone: Community Development Block Grants, Low-Income Heating Assistance, Social Services Block Grants and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. The impact of these proposed cuts for each state are available in NPP's latest publication.

"The anniversary of the Iraq War is a painful but necessary reminder of the lives and money squandered in an avoidable and failed war," said Greg Speeter, spokesperson for National Priorities Project. "We are seeing every day here at home the consequences of these dollars lost and we can't afford for it to continue."

USAction, a national organization that builds power by uniting people locally and nationally to win a more just and progressive America, has affiliates in 24 states that will use the NPP reports in their national day of action on March 19th, the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq. "With an economic recession making it harder for millions of American families to make ends meet, the consequences of a policy that funnels billions of dollars into a tragic war have never been clearer," said USAction Program Director Alan Charney. "As the National Priorities Project reports demonstrate, we can only invest in America's future when we end the costly war in Iraq."

The National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Located in Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional district and local levels. For more information, go to http://nationalpriorities.org.

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Feb 06 2008 Budget Cuts Domestic Programs; State-Level Breakdowns Available
Contact: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (o); 413-219-5658 (cell)

BUDGET CUTS DOMESTIC PROGRAMS; PENTAGON SPENDING RISES
STATE-LEVEL BREAKDOWNS AVAILABLE
While ensuring tax cuts stay permanent and military spending grows by five percent, the President's budget for Fiscal Year 2009 proposes to cut an array of domestic programs impacting the elderly and low- and middle-income families, according to an analysis released today by the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-profit research group that studies the local impact of the federal budget.

State-level breakdowns showing the impact of the proposed cuts are available for: Child Care and Development Block Grants, Community Development Block Grants, Improving Teacher Quality State Grants, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, and the Social Services Block Grants.

The proposed budget cuts non-security discretionary programs by $2.4 billion, according to NPP. Military spending would reach $541 billion in Fiscal Year 2009, including nuclear weapons. At the highest level since World War II, this amount of military spending does not include the proposed $70 billion for partial war funding next fiscal year. The President's tax cuts would also be made permanent under the proposed budget with the wealthiest 20 percent receiving 74 percent of the benefit.

"This budget is painfully out of line with the public's priorities," said Greg Speeter, spokesperson for the National Priorities Project. "The President seems determined to turn all the good the government does on its head and leave generations of Americans behind in the process."

To find out how your state will be impacted under the President's proposed budget, click here.

The National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Located in Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional district and local levels. For more information, go to http://nationalpriorities.org.

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Jan 22 2008 Army Misses Recruitment Benchmarks
Contact: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (o); 413-219-5658 (cell)

ARMY MISSES RECRUITMENT BENCHMARKS BY GREATER MARGIN;
RECRUITS FROM WEALTHIER AREAS DROP FURTHER


The Army failed to meet its 90 percent benchmark for new recruits having at least a regular high school diploma by nearly 20 percentage points, with a rate of 70.7 percent in 2007, according to a county and state-level report on 2007 military recruits released today by the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-profit research group releasing its fourth annual analysis of military recruits.

NPP based this analysis on military recruitment data obtained from the Department of Defense through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Since 2005, the percentage of recruits with at least a high school diploma dropped almost 12 percentage points in two years, according to NPP. Department of Defense (DoD) studies have shown that a high school diploma is a powerful indicator for recruits' success, with around 80 percent of those with regular high school diplomas finishing the first term of enlistment compared to only half of those without a diploma.

At the same time, the percentage of 'high quality' recruits continued their downward trend, dropping 12 percentage points since 2004, from 60.9 percent in 2004 to 44.6 percent in 2007. The DoD defines 'high quality' to include recruits who have at least a regular high school diploma and have scored in the upper half of the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT).

"The Army's increased failure to meet its own benchmarks really speaks to the much larger failure of the Iraq War," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "Young people are naturally thinking twice before signing up to fight an unnecessary war with no end in sight," Speeter continued.

National Priorities Project's analysis also found that in 2007, upper-middle and high-income neighborhoods, or those with median household incomes of $60,000 and greater, were under-represented by an even larger margin than in 2004. Meanwhile, the percentage of recruits from low and middle-income neighborhoods ($30,000 to $54,999) grew since 2004. Click here for income breakdowns by neighborhood.

"Once again, we're staring at the painful story of young people with fewer options bearing the greatest burden," Speeter noted. "Instead of spending millions more on new enlistment bonuses, we need to change the terms of where these soldiers are fighting and why they're taking the risk of never coming home."

County, city and state-level findings include:
  • Harris County, TX, Maricopa County, AZ and Los Angeles County, CA had the highest absolute number of recruits.
  • Edwards County, TX, Dixie County, FL, Galax city, VA and Turner County, GA had the highest recruitment rates, all over 10 per 1,000 youth.
  • Alabama, Montana and Maine had the highest recruiting rates for the states.
  • Nevada, Montana and Mississippi had the lowest percentages of recruits with a regular high school diploma or better.
  • Mississippi, Louisiana and Nevada had the lowest percentages of 'high quality' recruits.
  • States with higher recruiting rates correlated with lower percentages of 'high quality' recruits.
Click here to find recruitment data on a particular county or state or to see the full analysis of Fiscal Year 2007 active-duty Army recruits by ZIP code with data on race, ethnicity, age, citizenship, educational attainment and Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT).

The National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Located in Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional district and local levels. For more information, go to http://nationalpriorities.org.

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2007 :: Click below to view

October 25 2007 Updated National, State and Local Cost of War Numbers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (o); 413-219-5658 (c)
NEW PROPOSED WAR SPENDING TOPS $611 BILLION;
COST OF WAR NUMBERS UPDATED
With the Bush Administration's recent request for an additional $45.9 billion in war spending for fiscal year 2008, the total proposed war spending would rise to $611.5 billion, according to the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-profit research group. NPP has updated its website to include:

"These local numbers bring home the impact of this extraordinary level of war spending," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "We hope taxpayers will use them to tell Congress to bring an end to it."

The National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Located in Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional district and local levels. For more information, go to http://nationalpriorities.org/cms/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=23892&qid=38177.

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October 23 2007 Most States Lose Out on Military Spending

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (o) 413-219-5658 (cell)


NEW FEDERAL SPENDING ANALYSIS SHOWS MOST STATES PAID MORE FOR MILITARY THAN THEY GOT BACK;
State rankings on procurement contract and
social program spending also available

In spite of the claims that military spending creates jobs, much of the money spent on the military never makes it back to the States, according to an analysis released today by the National Priorities Project (NPP) of newly released 2005 federal spending data.

NPP's analysis provides state-level rankings comparing the money that came back to states in military spending with how much was paid in taxes by state taxpayers for military spending. A total of 32 states paid more in taxes than they got back, while 19 paid less. The top three states with the worst return for their tax dollar are Minnesota ($0.19), Delaware ($0.23) and New York ($0.24). States which had the best return for their tax dollar are New Mexico ($5.00), Alaska ($4.81) and Hawaii ($3.95). Per capita rankings are also available. This analysis is based on the Census Bureau's Consolidated Federal Funds Report (CFFR) for fiscal Year 2005 and IRS tax data for 2005.

"These numbers challenge the myth that military spending is essential for job creation," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "For most Americans, spending close to $700 billion on the military next year would only promise fewer dollars to meet their real needs."

NPP's report also provides breakdowns by state and per capita on:
  • the amount each state received in Department of Defense procurement contracts, showing that the largest recipients were California ($31.2 billion), Virginia ($26.8 billion) and Texas ($20.6 billion) while the smallest were Idaho ($156), Delaware ($178) and Wyoming ($184).
  • the amount each state received from the Department of Education, the Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Nutrition Services, as compared to military spending. While $390.9 billion was distributed for the military in Fiscal Year 2005, $56.8 billion came to states in Department of Education programs.
  • total expenditures by state as reported by the CFFR and compared with the information on taxes paid by state. Thirty-one states received more than its taxpayers paid in taxes and 20 states paid more in taxes than came back in federal spending.
    •

These findings follow the release of a recent report by the Political Economy Research Institute which found that the economic impact of military spending that goes to local areas is not as effective at creating jobs as other types of spending. Specifically, the report shows that public spending on education creates more jobs that are higher paying than the same amount of money spent on the military.

Spending data at state and county levels for dozens of federal spending programs from 1983-2005 is also available at The NPP Database.

The National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Located in Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional district and local levels. For more information, go to http://nationalpriorities.org/cms/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=964&qid=23126

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September 27 2007 Cost of Iraq War Would Rise to $611 Billion Under New Spending Request

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (o) 413-219-5658 (cell)

Cost of Iraq War Would Rise to $611 Billion Under New Spending Request;
State Breakdowns Available

The Bush Administration presented a request yesterday for an additional $42.3 billion in war-related spending, which would bring the total cost of the Iraq War to $611 billion, according to the National Priorities Project (NPP), a national non-profit research organization.

With this request, the war spending proposal for Fiscal Year 2008 totals $193 billion. This amount includes $189 billion for the Department of Defense and $3.7 billion for other agencies. Of the total amount requested, $154.7 billion would be allocated to the Iraq War, according to NPP. Click here for a chart detailing the Fiscal Year 2008 request.

In addition to this national analysis, NPP offers state breakdowns of the cost of the Iraq War thus far, the cost to each state's taxpayers of the new funding request and the total cost of the war if Congress approves the request.

"This latest request is another urgent call to voters to weigh in with their Congresspeople and hold them accountable for how they're spending our tax dollars," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "Should we be spending another $155 billion next year to continue fighting this failed war while the President claims we can't afford to give kids health care?"

The National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Located in Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional district and local levels. For more information, go to http://nationalpriorities.org

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August 14 2007 Half of Low-Income People Not Receiving Food Stamps
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (o) 413-219-5658 (cell)

Food Stamp Study: Half of Low-Income People Not Receiving Food Stamps

A new analysis released today of 2004 county-level data and statistics found that half of all low-income people do not receive Food Stamp program benefits, according to the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-profit, non-partisan research group that studies the local impact of federal budget policies.

The report shows that:
  • A significant number of counties, 13.2 percent, had below-average percentages of low-income people benefiting from Food Stamps, yet had above-average poverty rates.
  • Counties with lower poverty rates and higher median household incomes had lower percentages of low-income people that were Food Stamp recipients.
  • The rural South had the highest percentage of enrollment in the Food Stamp program and more than half of all children were eligible for lunches through the National School Lunch Program.

The reasons for some counties having a small percentage of low-income people in the Food Stamp program are varied and include the stigma of government benefits, eligibility rules and lack of information about the benefits. Click here for the full report.

The statistics produced for this analysis include: the percentage of low-income people receiving Food Stamp benefits, the average monthly benefit per recipient, and the percentage of children in the National School Lunch Program, all of which are available for every county in the country from 1998-2004 on the NPP Database. The analysis is based on data and statistics from the Census Bureau's Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, Census 2000, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

"We've got over 35 million people in this country struggling to get enough food to eat and 50 percent of all low-income people are not receiving the benefit that is intended to alleviate this food insecurity," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "While the Food Stamp program provides a vital service, clearly too many people are still going without. "

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, around 60 percent of eligible people participated in the Food Stamp program in 2004. However, the eligibility criteria of the program cuts off many low-income people from receiving benefits, so the USDA figure does not address what proportion of low-income people are actually being reached. Since the Food Stamp Program sets an income-eligibility limit of 130 percent of the poverty level, this study uses that thr eshold, as opposed to the poverty level, to define "low-income." For a family of three, the income limit for low-income was $19,767.

The National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Located in Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional district and local levels. For more information, go to http://nationalpriorities.org.


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June 18 2007 NPP Research Director Unveils Real Iraq War Costs at Take Back America Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-219-5658 (cell)
413-584-9556 (office)

National Priorities Project Research Director Dr. Anita Dancs
Unveils Real Iraq War Costs at Take Back America Conference

Northampton, MA -- Congress has thus far spent or allocated $456 billion on the Iraq War, according to the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-profit research group that analyzes federal spending data. NPP Research Director Dr. Anita Dancs will bring this information, along with an analysis of the military budget,
to the Take Back America Conference in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, June 20th at 11:00 am at the Washington Hilton Hotel.

Dr. Dancs will outline a fresh and controversial look at “Sensible Priorities: Challenging the Military Budget.” She will be joined by fellow panelists, Lawrence Korb, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and former Assistant Secretary of Defense under President Reagan, and Duane Peterson, executive director of Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities.

In its new publication, “Congress Votes for More War Funding,” NPP shows that if that $456 billion were spent locally, the following could have been provided:

  • 5.7 million people could have received health care coverage each year since the war began; and

  • 1 million affordable housing units could have been built; and

  • 430,000 school teachers could have been hired since the war began; and

  • 4.7 million students could have received tuition and fees for four years at a state university.

Similar analyses are available for each congressional district, state and hundreds of cities at www.nationalpriorities.org. The number of soldiers killed and wounded since the Iraq War began are also available state-by-state.

NPP Executive Director, Greg Speeter, said: “This latest NPP analysis continues to bring home to taxpayers the impact of the extraordinary cost of the Iraq War. These spending choices will affect Americans for generations to come.”

The National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Located in Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional district and local levels. For more information, go to www.nationalpriorities.org.

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April 26 2007 Unified Security Budget Would Make U.S. Safer, Save Taxpayer Dollars
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (o)
413-219-5658 (c)

Unified Security Budget Would Make U.S. Safer, Save Taxpayer Dollars
Northampton, MA -- As Congress puts the final touches on its Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2008, a new report by the Task Force for a Unified Security Budget lays out a plan that would increase national security while cutting wasteful military spending. The report is available at: http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/4175.

Crafted by a non-partisan task force of military, homeland security and foreign policy experts, the report argues that security spending is seriously out of balance. It points to the Bush Administration's budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2008, which would allocate 90% of national security spending to the military, 6% to homeland security and 4% to all other non-military tools, including diplomacy, foreign aid and nuclear nonproliferation.

"As the cost of the Iraq War climbs to half a trillion dollars, the urgency for reordering our security spending priorities couldn't be greater," said Anita Dancs, a member of the Task Force and research director of the National Priorities Project. "Right now, it's clear that taxpayers are spending an extraordinary amount of money for less security."

The report, A Unified Security Budget for the United States, FY 2008, to be released by Foreign Policy In Focus on April 26th, makes the case for reductions in military spending on outdated or unproven weapons systems totaling $55.9 billion. The U.S. government is about to deploy to Iraq, for example, the V-22 Osprey, a hybrid plane-helicopter, which is over-budget, years behind schedule and fraught with performance problems. The task force argues it should be canceled instead. The Unified Security Budget recommends a total $49. 7 billion increase in non-military security spending on homeland security, foreign assistance and other non-military programs and institutions.

National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Located in Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional district and local levels. For more information, go to www.nationalpriorities.org.

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April 06 2007 Military Spending Gets Forty Per Cent of Every Income Tax Dollar

Contact: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (office) 413-219-5658 (cell)

Military Spending Gets Forty Per Cent of Every Income Tax Dollar

Northampton, MA -- As taxpayers prepare to meet this year's April 16th tax deadline, they may want to consider that almost 40 cents of every tax dollar is spent on past and present military spending, according to a newly released publication by the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-profit research organization that examines the local impact of federal spending policies.

In Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?, NPP offers breakdowns of how the federal government spends the median household's tax payment in each state and over 200 cities.

In 2006, according to the National Priorities Project, current military spending accounted for 27 cents of every income tax dollar paid. Additionally, NPP determined that nine cents of every federal income tax dollar paid today could be attributed to borrowing to pay for past wars and military build-ups. Finally, disability payments, health care and other benefits accrued to veterans made up a little over three cents of the federal income tax dollar, bringing total military spending up to close to 40 cents of every tax dollar.

"To look at how the federal government spends our taxes allows us to stare at our federal spending priorities," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "Right now, military spending crushes everything else, and we're not even close to the final price tag on the Iraq War that has already cost us half a trillion dollars."

National Priorities Project is also the leading source for the cost of the Iraq War, offering breakdowns of the cost by state and congressional district.

NPP's latest tax day publication shows that spending on preventive security measures, such as diplomacy, economic development assistance and locking down nuclear materials, amounted to three-quarters of a penny. Investing in renewable energy and conservation received hundredths of a penny of the federal income tax dollar. Domestic needs such as affordable housing and nutrition claimed two and three cents, respectively. Meanwhile, beyond military spending, the next two largest areas of spending occurred in health at 21 cents of every tax dollar and interest on the debt at 19 cents.

National Priorities Project (NPP) is a 501(c)(3) research organization that analyzes and clarifies federal data so that people can understand and influence how their tax dollars are spent. Located in Northampton, MA, since 1983, NPP focuses on the impact of federal spending and other policies at the national, state, congressional district and local levels. For more information, go to www.nationalpriorities.org


March 14 2007 Paying for More War by State and Congressional District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (o); 413-219-5658 (cell)

NEW STATE-LEVEL PUBLICATION BREAKS DOWN WAR SPENDING BILL
BY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND STATE

As Congress prepares to vote on a $100 billion supplemental bill for more war spending, the National Priorities Project (NPP) released today a new state-level publication that breaks down what that amount and the new total would cost each state and congressional district. Also available are the number of soldiers killed and wounded from each state and examples of what the money spent on the Iraq War could buy each congressional district in local services.

If Congress approves the additional $100 billion in war spending, the total amount allocated to the Iraq War will reach almost half a trillion dollars, according to Anita Dancs, research director of the National Priorities Project. This figure does not include the additional $142 billion in war spending already requested by the Bush Administration for Fiscal Year 2008.

"A price tag this high deserves every American's serious attention," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "With the upcoming vote, this publication can help voters inform themselves and their representatives about the high costs of this war."

A Vote to Pay for More War?, NPP's latest publication, will be distributed via national networks of organizations, legislators and the internet. NPP's web pages on the cost of the Iraq War receive at least 100,000 web hits each month.

The National Priorities Project is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that examines the local impact of federal policies.

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February 09 2007 State Factsheets on President's Budget Request Now Available

Contact: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (o); 413-219-5658 (c)

Northampton, MA -- The National Priorities Project (NPP) published today state-level factsheets that provide breakdowns of how the President's proposed budget cuts for fiscal year 2008 will impact each state in seven different issue areas. The factsheet also offers state-level numbers on the cost of the Iraq war if the President's request for an additional $100 billion in war spending is approved.

"This is an incredibly important opportunity to stare at the Bush Administration's priorities: more war spending, more tax cuts for the wealthy and more budget cuts to programs that meet our citizens' basic needs," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "And it's an opportunity for citizens to respond to their congresspeople, telling them if and what they would choose differently."

The National Priorities Project is a non-profit, non-partisan research group that studies the local impact of federal policies.

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February 06 2007 Iraq War Spending to Total $456b
Iraq War Spending to Total $456b; Budget Impact Analysis Available, 02/06/07

Contact: Pamela Schwartz, Communications Director
413-584-9556 (o); 413-219-5658 (c)

IRAQ WAR SPENDING REQUEST BRINGS TOTAL TO $456 BILLION;
PROPOSED BUDGET WOULD CUT PROGRAMS FOR NEEDIEST
Northampton, MA -- While President Bush requests an additional $100 billion in war spending for fiscal year 2007, his proposed budget for fiscal year 2008 would cut $13 billion from programs that serve low- and middle-income Americans, according to the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-profit, non-partisan research group that studies the local impact of federal policies. NPP offers an analysis of the President's budget and war spending requests that includes state-level breakdowns.

NPP's analysis includes how the President's budget request for fiscal year 2008 would impact each state in several program areas, including: Community Development Block Grants, Head Start, Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, Special Education, Child Care and Development Block Grant, and Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP). New state-level cost of war numbers are also available.

The budget request released by the administration proposes cuts in non-security related discretionary spending. Compared to fiscal year 2006, $13 billion would be cut from these programs, while another $100 billion would be added for more war spending, which, if approved, would bring the total spent on the Iraq War to date to $456 billion.
"While the tab for the Iraq War continues to skyrocket, the President's proposed budget cuts more dollars from education, health care and a whole host of programs that serve our neediest citizens," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "The people of this country deserve to see what these choices will mean to them and their communities."

Additional analyses of the President's budget by the National Priorities Project will be made available online in the coming week.
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January 24 2007 More Troops, More Dollars
Contact: Pamela Schwartz, Outreach Director
413-584-9556 (o)
413-219-5658 (cell)

NEW RELEASE: MORE TROOPS, MORE DOLLARS
Northampton, MA -- The National Priorities Project released today a new publication, More Troops, More Dollars, which breaks down the cost of the Iraq War by state and congressional district. It also shows what the money spent in Iraq could buy each district in affordable housing units, health care for children and new elementary schools.

The publication offers state level data on the number of killed and wounded in Iraq and the cost of the war for two major cities in each state.

"Over 100,000 people search out the cost of war on our website every month," noted Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "With a $380 billion price tag, and a request for more on its way, the American people increasingly want to know the impact here at home."

To find your state publication, go to: www.nationalpriorities.org/moretroops.

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2006 :: Click below to view

December 22 2006 Army Fails to Meet its Own Recruitment Benchmarks, 12/22/06

Contact: Anita Dancs, Research Director
                  413-320-1204 (c) (through Jan. 1)

              413-584-9556 (w)
             


Army Fails to Meet its Own Recruitment Benchmarks;

Wealthy Recruits Continue to be Under-Represented

Northampton, MA --  The Army filled its ranks in 2006 by ignoring its own benchmarks for recruits' education standards,  according to an analysis of 2006 military recruitment data released today by the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-profit research organization that studies the local impact of federal policies.

     According to the Army's benchmark, 90 percent of new recruits should have a high school diploma.  In 2006, 73 percent of all new recruits met this requirement, a drop of 13 percentage points since 2004.

     "While President Bush talks about expanding the troops to fight the war in Iraq, the Army is already going after kids who haven't had the privilege of finishing high school," said Anita Dancs, research director of the National Priorities Project.  "It appears that the Army's ticket to recruitment success is finding young men and women with limited opportunities."

     At the same time, 2006 Army recruits from wealthy neighborhoods -- those with median household incomes of $60,000 and above -- continued to be under-represented at about the same level as 2005 and more so than in 2004, according to the NPP analysis.  The low- and middle-income neighborhoods were more over-represented than in 2004.

     State and county military recruitment data and analysis are available at www.nationalpriorities.org/militaryrecruits06.

     While the Army met its goals for new recruits in 2006, it did so with a significant drop in what the Department of Defense (DoD) deems to be 'high quality' recruits.  This qualification requires a high school diploma and a score of at least the 50th percentile on the Armed Forces Qualification Test.  In 2006, according to the DoD's criteria, more than half of the Army´s recruits for active-service duty were 'non-high quality,' well below their 60 percent benchmark. The 47 percent of recruits who were 'high quality' in 2006 is 14 percentage points lower than the 61 percent in 2004.

     "The answer to these inequities or shortfalls in military recruiting is not a draft," Dancs continued.  "Instead, we should be talking about how we can ensure these young people get a quality education and avoid this devil's choice by not engaging in wars of choice.".

     The NPP analysis indicates that the states with the largest proportion of high-quality recruits were:  North Dakota (59 percent), Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.  All of those except for Nebraska and Wisconsin had recruiting rates (recruits per 1000 youth population) below the national average.  None of these states had a proportion of high-quality recruits equal to the national average of 2004.

     The states with the lowest proportion of high-quality recruits were:   Mississippi (35 percent), Alabama (37 percent), Arkansas, Louisiana, Nevada, Georgia, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Hawaii, and Tennessee.  Of those, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Rhode Island were below the national recruiting rate.

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December 21 2006 Year in Review: The Federal Budget that Wasn't, 12/21/06

Contact: Anita Dancs, Research Director
                anita@nationalpriorities.org
                413-584-9556 (work)
                413-325-1204 (cell)

The budget process this year began with a whimper and ended with even less than that, as Congress failed to pass almost every single budget bill and deferred this year's business to next year's Congress.  The 2006 Federal Budget Year in Review offers a two-page analysis and graphics on how the year unfolded.

The budget request for fiscal year 2007, submitted at the beginning of February, 2006, proposed deep cuts to goods and services while proposing to make the tax breaks permanent, extending indefinitely their disproportionate benefit to the wealthiest Americans.  On the heels of this proposal, Congress passed the administration's request for more war spending, bringing spending on just the Iraq War in FY2006 to $100 billion.   By the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, no more than two appropriations bills out of 13 were passed: homeland security and defense.  In mid-December, the 109th Congress closed and left the budget for fiscal year 2007 to be determined by the next Congress.  The Federal Budget Year in Review provides a more detailed review of this past year.

Recent releases: 

NPP has updated its National Security web pages to include the most recent numbers available regarding where our dollars go around the world,  spending comparisons between the U.S. and other countries, and how much homeland security spending goes to your state.

Anita Dancs, NPP's research director, published a report Terrorism or All-Hazards? Broadening Homeland Security as part of the Security Policy Working Group, a consortium of national organizations working on improving US national security policy.

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September 29 2006 Iraq War Cost Climbs to $378b; Local Numbers Available, 9/29/06

Contact:  Anita Dancs, Research Director
                 413-584-9556  (office)
                 413-325-1204 (cell)
                 anita@nationalpriorities.org

NEW WAR COST BROKEN DOWN BY STATE, CITY, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

         NORTHAMPTON, MA  --  With the Senate´s passage today of $70 billion in new war spending, the total amount spent or allocated for the Iraq War has now reached $378 billion, according to the National Priorities Project (NPP).  In its new publication,  Cost of Iraq War Rises Higher, NPP provides taxpayer breakdowns of this total for all states, congressional districts and hundreds of cities across the country.

Each publication  also provides the number of U.S. soldiers killed and wounded from each state and a summary presentation of how the Iraq War has undermined U.S. national security.  Read more here.

"With this latest appropriation, the total war cost is up to $378 billion," noted Anita Dancs, research director for the National Priorities Project.  "All of those tax dollars have only bought us less security at home and more soldiers and civilians dead and wounded in Iraq."

Dr. Dancs also provided testimony at a congressional forum on September 26th on the opportunity costs of the Iraq War.  Updating that testimony with the new war cost total, Dancs pointed out that $378 billion could pay for all of the following:

  • Health care coverage for all uninsured children for the length of time the war has lasted; and
  • 4-year scholarships to a public university for all of this year's graduating seniors; and
  • Construction of half a million affordable housing units; and
  • The Coast Guard's estimate of what is needed for port security; and
  • A tripling of the energy conservation budget in the U.S. Dept. of Energy; and
  • Reduce this year's budget deficit by half.  

Click here to read her complete testimony. 

The National Priorities Project is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides citizens with tools and resources to help shape federal budget priorities.

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September 07 2006 Military Recruits in 2005: New Data and Analysis, 9/07/06

Contact:  Anita Dancs
                 413.584.9556 (o)
                 413.325.1204 (cell)
                 anita@nationalpriorities.org

     

Low- and middle-income neighborhoods over-represented in Army recruiting in 2005; 
upper-middle and wealthy neighborhoods more under-represented, compared to 2004

 

NORTHAMPTON, MA - Data released today on military recruits in fiscal year 2005 shows that low- and middle-income neighborhoods are over-represented in the Army, while wealthier neighborhoods have become even more under-represented, compared to fiscal year 2004.

A new ZIP code-level analysis of Army recruits released by the National Priorities Project today shows that neighborhoods with median household incomes between $30,000 - $55,000 became more over-represented in 2005 for active-duty Army recruits.  Median household incomes above $55,000, already under-represented in 2004, became more under-represented in 2005.

The National Priorities Project, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, released military recruiting data for all four branches of the armed forces for fiscal year 2005, its third such release on military recruiting.  Data by ZIP code, county, and state is available for the armed forces at http://database.nationalpriorities.org, and the companion analysis is available at http://nationalpriorities.org/militaryrecruiting05pr. 

The analysis also reveals such details as:

  • While most recruits come from urban areas because most of the population is located in urban areas, Army recruits per thousand youth were higher in rural counties.   
  • Arkansas, Texas and Wisconsin had the largest increases in active-duty Army recruits per thousand youth.
  • Harmon County, Oklahoma had the most Army recruits per thousand youth.
  • A higher percentage of Black recruits had high school diplomas compared to White recruits in the Army.
  • The Navy had the highest percentage of minority active-duty military recruits.
  • In 2005, the military recruiting and advertising budget increased.  The total military recruiting budget (including the pay of recruiters and other expenses) amounted to about $4 billion.

"The under-representation of Army recruits from wealthy neighborhoods speaks volumes about the Americans who are paying the price of the Iraq War," said executive director Greg Speeter. "As long as this war continues unabated, we should acknowledge who is being asked to make sacrifices."

To find more information on military recruits of 2005, go to http://nationalpriorities.org/militaryrecruiting05pr or contact Anita Dancs at 413.584.9556.


August 23 2006 Cost of Iraq War by Congressional District, 8/23/06
Contact: Anita Dancs
                413.584.9556 (o)
                413.325.1204 (cell)
                anita@nationalpriorities.org
 
 
 
PRESS ADVISORY: NATIONAL PRIORITIES PROJECT RELEASES
TAXPAYER COST OF THE IRAQ WAR BY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

NORTHAMPTON, MA - The National Priorities Project today released the taxpayer cost of the Iraq War for every congressional district in the country, available at: http://database.nationalpriorities.org/tradeoff. The taxpayer costs can also be broken down in terms of local services that the money could provide such as public safety officers and school teachers.

The National Priorities Project (NPP) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides citizens with tools and resources to help shape federal budget priorities.

The taxpayer cost of the Iraq War is also available by state and for more than 1,000 towns, cities and counties across the country at: http://nationalpriorities.org/warcitycost.

 
         
 
    
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June 05 2006 States Gain on Alternative National Security Plan, 6/05/06
 Contact:  Anita Dancs, Research Director
                     413-584-9556 (o)
                     413-665-3937 (cell)
                    anita@nationalpriorities.org

                                    
                 STATES TO GAIN SECURITY AND DOLLARS UNDER UNIFIED SECURITY BUDGET

    Virtually every state will lose funding for homeland security, according to a new publication by the National Priorities Project, which breaks down each state's cut and shows how states would gain under an alternative national security budget.  The publication released today, Better Security for Less Money, is available by state.   

    The National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-profit, non-partisan organization, presents an overview of how the Unified Security Budget, a proposal by security experts, would increase national security and save tax dollars by shifting money from unnecessary weaponry to preventive measures and homeland security.  NPP provides the share of savings for each state and shows what that money could buy each state in public school teachers, health care coverage for uninsured residents, affordable housing units and job creation.   These numbers, along with the updated cost of war for each state, are available at Better Security for Less Money. 

    "Our federal government proposes to spend half a trillion dollars on our national security while it cuts homeland security to almost every state," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project.  "Our leaders need to guard our security and our tax dollars by adopting a new security budget that is entirely possible and necessary."

    The Unified Security Budget, written by Lawrence Korb of the Center for Defense Information and Miriam Pemberton of Foreign Policy in Focus, presents a broad view of national security concerns and offers an alternative security budget that cuts unnecessary weaponry.   It breaks down current national security priorities, showing how military spending currently receives 83% of all security dollars, while homeland security receives 11% and preventive measures 6%.  Further information is available at The Unifed Security Budget. 


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May 04 2006 Military Recruits by Race and Ethnicity, 5/04/06

Contact:  Anita Dancs, Research Director
                    413-584-9556 (office)
                    413-325-1204 (cell)
                    anita@nationalpriorities.org

                                MILITARY RECRUITMENT DATA AVAILABLE
                                              BY RACE AND ETHNICITY

The National Priorities Project (NPP) has expanded the NPP Database to include race and ethnicity data for Army recruits in 2004.   The NPP Database also contains 2004 military recruitment data broken down by zip code, county and state, along with related statistics.  A summary of the race and ethnicity data is available at  www.nationalpriorities.org/militaryrecruits04, and includes tables and charts by county, high school, and college, highlighting top locations for recruits.

The summary findings include:

  • The three counties with the highest numbers of Hispanic Army recruits were Los Angeles County, California with 718; Bexar County, Texas with 316; and Miami-Dade County, Florida with 288.
  • The three counties with the highest numbers of Black Army recruits were Kings County, New York (239); Cook County, Illinois (223); and Los Angeles County, California (199).
  • The county with the highest Hispanic recruitment rate (number of Hispanic recruits per 1000 Hispanic youths) was Eaton County, Michigan.  The county with the highest Black recruitment rate (number of Black recruits per 1000 Black youths) was Montgomery County, Mississippi.
  • Seventy percent of Black recruits come from neighborhoods whose median household incomes are below the median household income, while 64% of Hispanic recruits and 57% of White recruits come from such neighborhoods.
  • Within the top 50 high schools ranked by Black recruits, 81 recruits came from Florida high schools and 82 from Virginia high schools.  Of the top 50 high schools ranked by Black recruits, 47 (or 94%) have a JROTC program affiliated with some branch of the military.
  • High schools from Texas (16 schools), California (14 schools) and Florida (13 schools) made up 86% of the top 50 high schools ranked by number of Hispanic recruits. 

More summary data, along with charts and tables, is available at www.nationalpriorities.org/militaryrecruits04. 

The National Priorities Project is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that illustrates the impact of federal policies on local communities.


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April 17 2006 Tax Day: Military Spending Up; State and City Numbers Available, 4/17/06
Contact:      Anita Dancs, Research Director
                    413-584-9556 (w); 413-325-1204 (cell)
                    anita@nationalpriorities.org

                             MILITARY SPENDING GETS MORE OF TAX DOLLAR;
              JOB TRAINING, ENVIRONMENT, HOUSING, VETERANS' BENEFITS GET LESS
                                      State and City Breakdowns Available


    The military's share of the income tax dollar has risen by 20 percent since 2000, while the share of spending has dropped for job training (-21 percent), environment (-19 percent), housing (-7 percent) and veterans' benefits (-2 percent), according to the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-partisan, non-profit research group.

    The National Priorities Project breaks down how the federal government allocated the median income family's 2005 tax payment for each state and 200 towns, cities and counties in its publication released today, Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go? at www.nationalpriorities.org/taxday.

    More than two-thirds of every income tax dollar in 2005 goes to military, health and interest on the debt, according to NPP.  Since 2000, military spending's share of the income tax dollar has risen from 24 cents to 29 cents.  This rise is a consequence of the nearly 70 percent increase in military outlays.

    At the same time, health spending's share of the tax dollar has risen from 17 cents to 20 cents.  The other significant jump lies in education spending at 50 percent.  This increase is primarily due to the No Child Left Behind Act, which remains significantly underfunded.  In 2000, education accounted for less than three cents of each tax dollar, and the increase in share translates to four cents of every tax dollar in 2005.

    The largest drop in share occurred in interest payments, down 30 percent since 2000.  This decline results from a combination of low interest rates and overall growth in spending, even though the debt has increased.  Job training, with a share that is 21 percent less than in 2000, is the second largest drop.  

    "The shift in how our tax dollars have been spent over the last five years captures the consequences of our current priorities," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project.  "When military spending takes a 20 percent greater share of our tax dollar while job training, housing and veterans' benefits take less, we are faced with stark examples of the neglect taking place here at home."

    Breakdowns by state and city on the federal government's spending of 2005 taxes is available at www.nationalpriorities.org/taxday.  Updated cost of war information for each state is available at www.nationalpriorities.org/iraqwarcost.  And state-level breakdowns on the impact of the President's proposed FY07 budget are available at www.nationalpriorities.org/budget07. 

    The National Priorities Project creates reliable estimates using data culled from various sources primarily the federal government.  Detailed explanations of methodologies and sources for Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go? can be found at www.nationalpriorities.org/taxday06sources.  

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February 21 2006 Cost of Iraq War Rises with New Request - State and City Taxpayer Cost Available, 2/21/06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Anita Dancs, research director
anita@nationalpriorities.org
413-584-9556(o)
413-253-7760(cell) 

The administration submitted to Congress a $72.4 billion request for additional war-related funding last week. The National Priorities Project (NPP) concluded that total spending on the Iraq War will rise to more than $315 billion. NPP's analysis offers state and local taxpayer costs of the Iraq War available at www.nationalpriorities.org/iraqwarcost.

If the request is approved, NPP estimates that the request will add another $61 billion in funding for the Iraq War, and $10 billion for the war in Afghanistan. Other funding included in the request is $900 million for international assistance and peacekeeping activities in parts of Africa and Pakistan. 

"As the national debate increases about the merits of the Iraq War, the public needs to know the enormous human and financial costs, " said Greg Speeter, executive director of National Priorities Project. 

Number of U.S. soldiers killed and wounded by state is also available in the new NPP publication, Cost of Iraq War Rises at: www.nationalpriorities.org/iraqwarcost. 


The National Priorities Project is a national, non-partisan organization that illustrates the impact of federal policies on local communities. 



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February 09 2006 The President's Budget: Impact on the States, 2/09/06
State Numbers on the President's Budget Available


Contact: Anita Dancs, Research Director
413-584-9556 (o);
413-325-1204 (cell)

The Bush administration's budget request for fiscal year 2007 proposes to cut non-security domestic discretionary spending by $15 billion, or 4.4 percent, after taking inflation into account, according to "The President's Budget: Impact on the States," a publication released today by the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-partisan research group.

"The President's Budget: Impact on the States" provides a brief publication for each state showing the local impact of the proposed budget in seven different issue areas: food and nutrition; community development; the environment; Head Start; Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); education and community policing.

To find your state, go to: www.nationalpriorities.org/budget07.

The budget proposes the elimination or significant reduction of 141 programs and deep cuts in domestic spending, according to NPP. While the administration claims that these cuts are necessary to reduce the deficit, the budget proposes to make the 2001-2003 tax cuts permanent, which would reduce revenues by $1.7 trillion over the next decade. The budget also does not include complete funding for the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, which could add another $70 billion to the deficit.

"The Bush administration proposes to cut seniors' meals and nutrition for infants while pushing tax cuts and more war spending," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "We're providing some state numbers to bring home the reality of what this budget would really mean to people across this country."

Though domestic spending is squeezed, the Defense Department budget is on the rise with a $29 billion increase, or 7% before inflation. But the budget does not fully account for the rising cost of the Iraq War. Only a $50 billion 'placeholder' is listed for fiscal year 2007 for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another $70 billion war-related request for fiscal year 2006 will be submitted to Congress in a few weeks time.

Breakdowns of the cost of the Iraq War by state are included in this publication at www.nationalpriorities.org/budget07.


2005 :: Click below to view

November 01 2005 Military Recruiters Enlist Lower and Middle Income Youth
Online Tool Allows Journalists/Activists to Analyze Data by High School, County, Zip Code, Race, Ethnicity, Gender




Contact: Anita Dancs, Research Director
413-584-9556 (o);
413-253-7760 (cell)

NORTHAMPTON, MA - Lower and middle-income communities experience higher military enlistment rates than higher income areas, according to a new analysis released today by the non-partisan National Priorities Project (NPP).

This analysis is a result of an expanded NPP Database which now includes 2004 military recruitment numbers for different branches of the armed services broken down by high school, zip code, county and state. Data is also available by race/ethnicity and gender. For a snapshot analysis and overview of the military recruitment data, which includes charts and tables, click here. To find information on a particular high school, county, zip code or state, go to the NPP Database.

Using census data on the average income level of zip codes, combined with data on 2004 military enlistment obtained by Peacework Magazine through the Freedom of Information Act, NPP's analyses highlight the disproportionate impact of military recruitment on lower and middle-income communities.

"As the Iraq War continues and the number of soldiers killed and wounded mounts, this data makes clear that low- and middle-income kids are paying the highest price," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "It's young people with limited opportunities that are putting their lives on the line."

The new data shows:

  • The highest recruitment rates -- defined as the number of recruits per thousand of 18-24 year-old population -- were found in counties that were relatively poorer than the rest of the nation. All of the top 20 counties had median household incomes below the national level, and 19 of the 20 had median household incomes below their respective state level.
  • The three largest schools or programs in the country from which recruits are drawn include the GED Test Center in the New York State Education Department, the Gary Job Corps Center in San Marcos, Texas and another GED-based program in New York.
  • Montana -- a state with low median household income and high poverty rates -- led the country in state recruitment rates. Rhode Island was at the bottom.
  • High-income neighborhoods are under-represented. Low- and middle-income neighborhoods are over-represented.


    • "Parents, students and concerned activists by the thousands have voiced their concerns in recent months about military recruitment tactics," said Sam Diener, Co-Editor of Peacework Magazine at the American Friends Service Committee New England Regional Office. "Now, the NPP Database will be used to help people focus their efforts on the states, counties, zip code and schools most heavily impacted by military recruitment."

    The National Priorities Project is a national, non-partisan organization that illustrates the impact of federal policies on local communities.

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September 22 2005 Katrina and Iraq War Demonstrate Misguided Priorities


Contact: Anita Dancs, Research Director
              413-584-9556

NORTHAMPTON, MA -- Americans have an historic opportunity to examine federal spending priorities in the face of Hurricane Katrina's aftermath and the Iraq War. The National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-partisan research group, offers a two-page overview of current federal spending policies and state level numbers on the cost of the Iraq War.

Investment in infrastructure and disaster preparation prior to Katrina could have saved lives and money, according to NPP. But each year since taking office, the Administration proposed significant cuts in the Army Corps of Engineers' civil works budget. The budget for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Control project has been continuously cut since 2002. Now, the economic damage across the Gulf Coast is at least $100 billion while the level of upheaval and loss for hundreds of thousands of people defies calculation.

As the predicted catastrophe unfolds, Congress considers further divestment in communities. The House of Representatives has already passed a $300 million cut in the Army Corps of Engineers' civil works budget for next year. Congress also proposed to cut $35 billion over the next five years in programs serving low-income families, thousands of whom are in more desperate need than ever.

While the demand for federal resources reaches unprecedented levels, the Iraq War drains billions in tax dollars. Congress has allocated $205 billion so far to wage the Iraq War through fiscal year 2005. It will cost another $70-$80 billion for every year thereafter if U.S. involvement and the situation in Iraq remain the same.

"There has rarely been a more compelling time for Americans to let their elected officials know whether they are making the right choices with their tax dollars," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "We've seen all too painfully just how high the stakes are."

The National Priorities Project shows the impact of federal policies on state and local levels. NPP creates reliable estimates using data culled from various sources, primarily the federal government.

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September 02 2005 Tragedy Points to Federal Divestment in U.S. Infrastructure and Communities
Contact: Anita Dancs, Research Director
              413-584-9556

NORTHAMPTON, MA -- The Bush Administration continues a decades-long divestment in government goods and services that would have helped to protect the American people from the aftermath of the Gulf Coast catastrophe, according to the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-partisan research group.

The President's budget request for fiscal year 2006 would cut the Corps of Civil Engineers' budget by 14% or $714 million. Flood control programs of the Mississippi River and its tributaries would be cut almost 18%, or $58 million; and general construction programs would be cut by 14% or $243 million, according to NPP.

The budget proposal for next fiscal year is not new. In every year since taking office, the Bush Administration has attempted to cut the budget of the Corps of Engineers. Today, the Corps' $5 billion budget is 25 percent less than it was 25 years ago. Under the current budget proposal, the Corps of Civil Engineers' budget would continue to drop another 25 percent by the year 2010.

"The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina points to the problems of long-term divestment in our infrastructure and our communities," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "At the same time, the federal government has found $205 billion to fund the Iraq War. In comparison, money required for necessary infrastructure development looks like peanuts."

Louisiana taxpayers will pay $1.7 billion for what Congress has allocated so far for the Iraq War, according to NPP. Mississippi will pay $919 million, and Alabama will pay $1.9 billion. Currently, 145,000 national guard and reservists are called up for active duty primarily due to the Iraq War. With such a large contingency already activated, it raises the question of whether relief efforts will be hampered by the sheer number of National Guard unavailable. Louisiana alone had more than 4,300 National Guard and reservists on active duty before the hurricane hit.

In an earlier report, the National Priorities Project also pointed out the proposed $1.6 billion in cuts to community and economic development in states and selected cities. For example, New Orleans already lost almost $1 million in funding for the Community Development Block Grant this year, and would possibly lose $5.2 million more next year in community and economic development funding.

Cuts in community development, the taxpayer cost of the war and other relevant federal budget information can be found for every state and selected cities and counties at the NPP Internet website at http://nationalpriorities.org. The National Priorities Project shows how national tax and spending policies impact local communities and states across a broad range of issues.

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August 16 2005 NEW Resource on U.S. National Security and the World
Contact: Anita Dancs, Research Director
413-584-9556;

Below you'll find information about the latest addition to our website on national security. Please call or email with questions you may have. Thanks. Pamela Schwartz, Outreach Director

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are pleased to welcome you to the National Security section of our website, which accompanies the launch of NPP's new website at www.nationalpriorities.org.

National Security, www.nationalpriorities.org/nationalsecurity, offers a unique compilation of information about how and where our national security dollars are spent around the world. A few examples of what you can do:

*click on a map to find out where our security dollars go across the globe, or how much each state receives in Homeland Security dollars;

* view graphs to find out the level of U.S. aid in different countries, or which countries rank as the top arms exporters and importers;

* use our "making connections" page to get better informed about national security policy and learn about a proposal for a better national security budget.

This resource is an easy-to-use tool to inform citizens and activists about how our tax dollars impact countries around the world and relationships among nations. The information is powerful, abundant and yours for the taking.

March 15 2005 Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?
    U.S. TAXPAYERS GIVE LION'S SHARE TO MILITARY;
                                         STATE AND CITY BREAKDOWNS AVAILABLE


When Tax Day comes on April 15th, taxpayers should know that 30 cents of each federal income tax dollar they paid supported military and defense, while four cents went to education, according to the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-partisan, non-profit research group.

Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?, NPP's just released publication, provides a detailed breakdown of how the federal government allocated the average household's 2004 tax dollars in each state and 193 towns, cities and counties at www.nationalpriorities.org/taxday05.

The average U.S. household's 2004 federal income tax payment was $6,296. Of that amount, $1,887 went to the military and defense, while $1,171 went to interest on the debt. The breakdown also includes: $1,276 to health care; $231 to education; $216 to veterans' benefits; $135 to housing, and $25 to job training.

Close to one-third of Americans' income tax dollars is spent on national security. This money is divided into military operations, homeland security and preventive measures such as diplomacy, peacekeeping and development aid. Military operations received 91 percent of all national security tax dollars, while homeland security received five percent and preventive measures got three percent.

"As the expanding military budget strips communities of vital support and the cost of war in Iraq continues to spiral upward, people deserve to ask whether this is how they want their tax dollars spent," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project. "Their elected officials need to hear their answers."

To find out the cost of war for each state, go to www.nationalpriorities.org/warstatecost or for hundreds of cities at www.nationalpriorities.org/warcitycost. To find out the state level impact of President Bush's proposed budget for FY 2006 go to www.nationalpriorities.org/budgetpublication.

The National Priorities Project creates reliable estimates using data culled from various sources, primarily the federal government. Detailed explanations of methodologies and sources for Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go? can be found at www.nationalpriorities.org/sources.pdf.

February 16 2005 Cost of War Rises
The Cost of Iraq War for States and Cities Rises

    The Bush Administration's $82 billion request for additional war spending means higher costs for taxpayers in every state and city, according to the National Priorities Project, a non-partisan research group.  To find the cost of war for each state and major cities, and to find a breakdown of what is included in the supplemental, go to www.nationalpriorities.org/warstatecost.    

    The National Priorities Project estimates that $61 billion of the supplemental is for the Iraq War.  Congress is expected to approve the President's request, which would bring total spending on the war to nearly $210 billion.  

    Also included in the supplemental is about $13 billion in spending for Afghanistan, $1 billion in aid for the crisis in Sudan, and $700 million in tsunami disaster relief with additional funding for establishing early earthquake and tsunami warning systems.  

    Additional military spending of $5.3 billion for the purposes of restructuring the armed forces is also included in the supplemental.  

    "In planning and executing the Iraq War, the administration underestimated the cost, the troops and equipment needed, and the ability to establish a stable government in Iraq," said Greg Speeter, executive director of the National Priorities Project.  Speeter noted that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget stated that the costs would be between $50-$60 billion, and the White House discounted its own economic advisor when he suggested that the war could cost between $100 - $200 billion.

    Additionally, in spite of nearly two years of war and billions of dollars spent, soldiers in Iraq still report insufficient armor and other equipment shortages.  Troop levels were increased twice in the past year, and stop-loss policies have kept many troops beyond their discharge dates.  Insurgent attacks are five times more frequent than a year ago.  Only half of the necessary Iraqi security forces have been trained, and there are significant problems with training and maintaining Iraqi security forces.  A small percentage have even defected to the Iraqi insurgents.

       The recent budget request for fiscal year 2006 submitted by the Bush Administration last week did not include spending on the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, indicating that these on-going military operations, and even military spending that is usually included in the budget request,  will continue to be funded through emergency supplementals.

    For examples of what the additional war spending and the total cost of the war would buy each state in local services instead, go to trade-offs.



February 16 2005 New Tool for Local Numbers Available
New Tool for Local Numbers Available

    Reporters and others in the media can now do quick and easy research to find information on federal spending and needs on the county level.  The free, on-line National Priorities Project Database also offers a wide range of data and statistics on the state and national level at http://database.nationalpriorities.org.   Examples of newly available county-level data include:
  • East Carroll Parish has the highest unemployment rate in Louisiana at nearly 20%, up from 13% in 1999.
  • Families in Lake County, Michigan received about one-third less in Section 8 money for affordable housing in 2003 than they did in 2003, after adjusting for inflation.  Lake County has the highest child poverty rate in Michigan.
  • Median household income ranges in Alabama from $18,455 in Wilcox County to $61,393 in Shelby County.  Statewide, the median is $37,419.
  • Blacks in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, have a poverty rate of 23% while whites have a poverty rate of less than 7%.
  • Los Angeles County, California, received $10.4 billion in defense contracts in 2003, the most of any county in the state.

    With the NPP Database, you can find an enormous range of data from 1983 to the present, covering categories including income and poverty, housing, hunger, health, energy, military, education, labor and basic demographic information.  You can adjust for inflation with the click of a mouse, create graphs and save searches to view at a later date.

    The National Priorities Project, at http://nationalpriorities.org,  is a non-partisan research group that localizes the impact of federal spending and tax policies and offers easy-to-understand materials on the federal budget.        
       



February 01 2005 Impact of President's Budget Proposal on States

President's Budget To Hurt States

    States will lose significant funding under the Bush Administration's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2006, according to the National Priorities Project (NPP), a non-partisan research group. 

    NPP has produced a breakdown of the budget's impact on each state for: the total of all discretionary federal grants to state and local governments; Low-Income Home and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); community and economic development funds; the No Child Left Behind Act; and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.  These state numbers, along with other budget information, can be found at: www.nationalpriorities.org/budget. 

    In total, discretionary federal grants to state and local governments would be cut by almost 9 percent after inflation.  At the same time, the President's budget proposes a 3 percent or $19 billion increase in Pentagon spending, not including funding for the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan.

    "The President's budget will harm thousands of children, seniors and working adults in every state in the nation," said Greg Speeter, Executive Director, National Priorities Project.  "This budget makes the wrong choices based on the wrong priorities," Speeter added.