Maine State Budget by Department 2010-2011
The nearly $8 billion State budget for the fiscal year 2010-2011 allocated over 46% of its funds for Human Services, and 17% for education, accounting for 63% of the total budget. That amounted to about $3.7 billion for health and human services. It also includes $1.4 billion in the form of General Purpose Aid to Education, which directly lowers local property taxes from what it would have been without this aid.
The chart above includes all departments that responsible for one percent or more of expenditures. Those representing less than one percent include the legislature, the judiciary, environmental protection, and conservation.
Among the many responsibilities in the Department of Health and Human Services (Human Services on the chart) are the following: mental health, substance abuse, long-term care (nursing homes), foster care, disease monitoring and reporting, child welfare, adoption, and providing food, funds and housing to those in need, including the elderly.
“Defense” on the chart represents the Department of Defense (National Guard), Veterans (Services), and Emergency Management.
Links from this page will lead you to more about the budget, revenue, and State employees. See also the 2014-2015 State Budget by Department.