ADVANCING THE ART OF REVENUE RESEARCH

million; on March 31, 1947, it had dropped to $359.7 million. The savings to taxpayers by reductions instituted largely following the war have amounted to some $475 million. Savings of $623 million were set aside in the Postwar Reconstruction Fund and in the Tax Stabilization Reserve Funds to meet the demands of reconstruction and the exigencies of the reconversion period. In addition to reducing the debt, cutting the tax burden, and saving money for present and future needs, the state is giving more aid and providing greater services to its people than ever before in its history. In 1940-41 the state spent $464 million for state purposes and local assistance from general funds of the total, $268 million was for local assistance. For 1947-48 these appropriations approximate $650 million in which more than $370 million is for local assistance. The expenditure increases involved reflect the needs of the times. We are appropriating today for our mental hospitals more than twice as much as before the war currently over $80 million. The state public health program has been increased by more than $10 million. State aid for education greatly exceeds the prewar level. Pay of state employees has been kept in step with the times. There are more categories too numerous to mention. New York State has moved ahead. It has not " run fast " like Alice without moving any place. It has combined action with direction; it has provided improved departmental management, careful fiscal planning and management, and greatly increased state services and state assistance to localities.