29 Cents of Every Tax Dollar Goes to Military Spending, a 20% Increase since 2000

Interview with Anita Dancs, research director of the National Priorities Project, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

As Americans filed their tax returns in mid-April, most probably didn't have a very specific idea of exactly where their money goes. That's the job of the National Priorities Project, based in Northampton, Mass. The organization explains the impact of federal policies on state and local governments. Every year the group's researchers do a rigorous analysis of the federal budget to see which areas have fared well, and which have not.

This year, the Project found that the military's share of income tax dollars has risen by 20 percent since 2000, while the share of spending for job training, environmental protection, housing and veterans' benefits have all dropped. The rise in Pentagon spending is a consequence of the nearly 70 percent increase in military outlays.

Between the Lines' spoke with Anita Dancs, research director of the National Priorities Project. She explains where U.S. federal tax dollars are being spent on both military and non-military programs.

For more information, call (413) 584-9556. Visit the Project's website at www.nationalpriorities.org to learn about where your state and community rank in terms of tax dollars sent to Washington and services received.

Related links:

Interactive tax chart: Where your tax dollar goes

The Cost of War

Economic Policy Institute at www.Epinet.org

Class Action at www.classactionnet.org

United for a Fair Economy at www.faireconomy.org

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