Demographics and spending for public education: a test of interest group influence

Abstract

In an interest group model of public spending, parents might be considered an interest group in favor of, and the elderly an interest group opposed to, high levels of spending for public education. This paper tests an interest group model of public spending by using variation in spending levels across states and counties. Results at both the state and county level provide some support for an interest group model, in that spending for education increases as the number of parents in the electorate increases. Additionally, an analysis of Texas counties indicates that areas with relatively large elderly populations spend less on education.