US budget deficit drops to $82.4 billion in May

AZ Central: WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. budget deficit for May dropped sharply from the level a year ago but much of the improvement reflected a calendar quirk.

In its monthly budget report, the Treasury Department said Wednesday that the May deficit dropped to $82.4 billion, down from a deficit of $130 billion in May 2014. But last year's deficit was inflated because June 1 fell on a Saturday, requiring the government to mail out $35 billion in June benefit payments in May of last year.

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