ALBANY -- A new report from the office of the state comptroller shows government spending of $6,859 per New Yorker in its most recent fiscal year.

Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says New York government has made progress toward aligning spending and revenue.

Total spending in the fiscal year that ended March 31 was down 1 percent, or $1.3 billion, from the previous year.

But the annual report on the state's financial condition shows that spending has grown by 15 percent since 2008, or almost double the inflation rate.

Part of that was paid by borrowing.

Public health and education account for 68 percent of total state spending.

-- AP

Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, of Bay Shore, was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His mother has made it her mission to aid active-duty service members, veterans, first responders and Gold Star families. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. Credit: Randee Daddona; Photo credit: Cathy Heighter

'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.

Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, of Bay Shore, was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His mother has made it her mission to aid active-duty service members, veterans, first responders and Gold Star families. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. Credit: Randee Daddona; Photo credit: Cathy Heighter

'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.

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