Business news on federal spending in 2008 from the California Real Estate Journal:

Federal domestic spending increased 9.3 percent to $2.79 trillion in fiscal year 2008, plus $1.62 trillion in direct loans, guaranteed loans and insurance, excluding monetary obligations resulting from the Recovery Act.

Insurance comprised 78 percent of federal assistance.

Guaranteed or insured loans accounted for $314 billion, led by home mortgage insurance, which made up $172 billion.

Nearly 21 percent, or $575 billion, went to federal grants, particularly for health and human services, transportation, and education.

Direct payments for housing assistance reached $11 billion across the U.S. and $934 million in California.

California expenditures neared $300 billion after a $260 billion commitment in FY 2007.

The government backed more than $26.5 billion of loans in the state. More than $12.1 billion of that total was for mortgage insurance for homes, while more than $1 billion was for mortgage insurance for condominiums.