Revenue Distribution

General Fund

The General Fund finances most programs operated by the State of Minnesota. During FY09, the Lottery contributed $62.7 million to this fund. While a significant amount of money, lottery proceeds make up less than 1 percent of the $33.1 billion collected for the General Fund during the biennium. The largest sources of revenue for the General Fund are the individual income tax (47 percent of General Fund revenue) and the sales tax (28 percent).

It is not possible to identify specific programs within the General Fund that are funded by lottery proceeds. Lottery money can be assumed to be distributed in the same percentages as overall spending from the General Fund.

Education programs comprise the single largest beneficiary of General Fund dollars, accounting for 49 percent of state spending during FY08-09. This is divided between K-12 education finance (40 percent) and post-secondary education (9 percent). Health and human services programs account for 28 percent of General Fund spending, with property tax aids and credits accounting for another 10 percent. The remaining 14 percent is spent on a wide range of programs, such as economic development, transportation, and criminal justice.

Where the General Fund Dollars Go (FY ’08-09)

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