What is the main function of the state budget?

The main function of the state budget is to outline government spending and revenue. It serves as a comprehensive financial plan that details how the government intends to allocate its resources over a specific period, usually a fiscal year. This includes estimating the revenue that will be collected through taxes and other means, and specifying how that revenue will be spent across various departments and services, such as education, infrastructure, healthcare, and public safety.

A well-structured state budget is essential for ensuring that the government operates effectively and meets its obligations to its citizens. It requires careful planning to balance spending with available revenue, which is critical for maintaining fiscal responsibility and promoting economic stability.

Other options, while they involve aspects of financial management or policy, do not encapsulate the primary function of the state budget as comprehensively as the correct answer. For instance, while the budget might indirectly influence taxation, it is not solely focused on determining individual tax rates. Assessing public property values is a specific action that may impact tax revenues but is not a function of the budget itself. Similarly, setting financial goals for private citizens falls outside the government's budgeting responsibilities.