Cost of Government Day (COGD)
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Title: Tax watchdog group says Nebraskans work 185 to pay government costs

Date: July 3, 2003

Source: The Associated Press State & Local Wire

Words: 155

A government watchdog group claims Nebraskans work 185 days on average to pay for a year's worth of government funding.

That means Thursday was Cost of Government Day for the state, said Americans for Tax Reform of Washington, D.C.

The date takes into account the average burden of government spending, plus the costs of federal, state and local regulations.

"The average American citizen will work 193 days this year just to cover the cost of government," said Grover Norquist, who heads the group. "Nebraska is a little lower at 185 days, but working anywhere near that much for the government is distressing in a free society."

In its report released Thursday, the group said Nebraska ranks 18th among the 50 states in its costs.

Nebraska taxpayers finished paying for government spending after 122 days, but regulations also cost the state's residents another 63 days' worth of payments, the group said.

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