In fact, state-mandated programs like Medicaid and social services consume $1 billion or nearly three-quarters of the county budget.

"More than 55 percent of our budget goes toward these state-mandated programs," he said.

But these healthy factors, he said, are offset by continued cuts in state aid and increased costs for some state-mandated programs.

Mr. Spano said that state-mandated programs would cost the county a total of $626.7 million next year.

The state-mandated program, paid for by state and local funds, now serves about 244,000 in the city.

Fiscal relief may be coming from another direction, however: from changes in state-mandated programs.

With the help of this state-mandated program, hopefully Alex will not join their ranks.

In 1993 the county's general fund amounted to $630 million, of which 70 percent or $441 million went to state-mandated programs.

In contrast, representatives of unions and women's groups tended to favor state-mandated programs.

In some counties in the state, the percentage of county property tax money going to pay for state-mandated programs is even higher.