In South Florida, fear of U.S. default

MIAMI, July 30 (UPI) -- South Florida finds itself increasingly dependent on U.S. government dollars, making the area increasingly vulnerable to a government default, data shows.

In 1969, the first year the records were kept, South Florida relied on the federal government for 8 percent of its income, The Miami Herald reported Saturday.

By 2000, about 60 percent of the income in the area came from work and 13 percent came from the government. As of 2009, about 54 percent of income came from work, while 17 percent came from the government. The remaining income came from investments, including stocks, bonds and real estate.

"Those numbers are staggering. I'm for people getting government aid when they absolutely need it," said Carlos Lopez-Cantera, leader of the Florida House Republicans.

The federal government has not said which bills would get paid and which would not if the country does not raise the debt ceiling above $14.3 trillion by Aug. 2.

Some fear Social Security checks could be delayed. Others are concerned the government could temporarily cease issuing food stamps.

In Miami-Dade County, 14 percent of the federal aid in 2009 went to poverty programs, such as food stamps and disability checks. The national average for 2009 was 11 percent, the newspaper said.