This vaguely implies that 5 represents neutrality, an average state, or some degree of indifference.

In the first half of the decade, the average state spent just 60 percent of its potential Federal welfare-to-work money.

New York has long had a higher tax burden than the average state, and it has stayed roughly even.

The cycle, then, of life which will be "normal" (current average state) or psychotic is an easy thing to draw.

Overall, New Hampshire remains ranked 49th among states in combined average state and local tax burden.

But New Jersey indeed seems to be tougher than the average state.

If the plan aims to bring poor states' spending up to the level of the average state, it could cost $20 billion a year.

The average state's income grew by 29 percent, so an additional nine points wouldn't have been anything to sneeze at.

The average state and local tax burden for the other eight cities in the analysis was $6.16 of every $100 in gross taxable resources.

During the 1960s Utah received a great deal more money from the federal government than the average state.