Testing the American states for implementation of the infrastructure economic development strategy (1988 through 1997)

This dissertation tests for the existence of the infrastructure economic development strategy among the American states. Tests were run to detect for the appropriate increases or decreases in state revenue and expenditure actions for the infrastructure economic development policies of cost of energy, funding of public colleges, health and hospitals, highways, parks and recreation during the 1988 through 1997 period. Based on the test results the states were rated on an infrastructure orientation scale and ranked compared to other states. The tests results showed a preponderance of the consensus policies that make up the infrastructure economic development strategy were practiced however no one state implemented all the policies that scholars believe make up the infrastructure strategy. Three states: Hawaii, Pennsylvania and Mississippi however were at the forefront in implementing a large portion of the consensus policies that make up the infrastructure economic development strategy.