Bob your comment intrigued me so I did a little research. According to usspending.com total State spending in 2006 was $10.8 billion. In 2017, it was $13.3 billion. Total inflation from 2006 to 2017, according to usinflationcalculator.com was 19.8%.  Therefore, in inflation adjusted numbers, 2017 State Spending was $470 million dollars higher than in 2006. However, the State’s population in 2006 was 675,302.  In 2017 it is 739,818, almost a 9% increase over 2006. So, on a per capita basis we are actually spending less in 2017 than we did in 2006.  I not saying the State can’t find more cuts but in the limited research I did State spending has not increased on a per capita basis when you compare the two years.