Economic Policy Commons^™

Eastward Ho: Issues And Options In Regional Development For The Metropolitan Boston Region, Robert C. Wood, Laura C. Ghirardini, Lori L. Prew, Aundrea Kelley

John M. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies Publications

Conventional wisdom suggests that the basic job of public policy studies (and public institutions, for that matter) is to deal in a timely and practical fashion with pressing public issues of the day. The focus typically is on 'ripe' topics, 'hot' political problems. If a study can be ahead of the curve, in John Kingdon's apt phrase "an idea whose time has come," so much the better. But unlike more traditional academic research, where the focus is timeless — i.e., an explanation of previously inexplicable phenomena, timeliness is a prime reason for initiating a policy study.

In this context, analyzing …

Security And The Global Environment: An Introduction, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes some of the psychopolitical consequences of managing economic activities in an era of globalization.

Trends. Bahtmen To The Rescue: A Psychology Of Altruism In Thailand, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author examines the Thai financial system billion dollar rescue in terms of altruism vs. egoism.

The Economic And Fiscal Impact Of Lake Remediation On Onondaga County, William Duncombe, Shannon Felt, James R. Follain, Bernard Jump Jr.

Center for Policy Research

This is the fourth and final report to the Onondaga Lake Management Conference about the economic and fiscal implications for Onondaga County of court-mandated expenditures for sewer-related remediation of Onondaga Lake. Exactly how much remediation will cost and what, precisely, will be the technical specifications of the plan that is finally approved by the court are both still to be decided. Yet, there is little doubt that an undertaking of the dollar magnitude contemplated for lake remediation has the potential to affect the fiscal condition of the county and the future health of the local economy.

How The Fruits Of Growth Were Distributed Among Working-Age Families In The United States And Germany In The 1980s, Richard V. Burkhauser, Amy D. Crews, Mary C. Daly

Center for Policy Research

We use cross-sectional and longitudinal data from Germany (Socio-Economic Panel) and the United States (Panel Study on Income Dynamics) to show how the income distribution changed over the 1980s business cycle in these two countries. Consistent with other researchers we find income inequality in the United States increased over the peak years of the 1980s business cycle and that the middle of the income distribution shrank. However, we also find that the great bulk of the disappearing middle shifted to the right— became richer— over the period. Hence, it was disproportionate gains from growth rather than the “immiseration” of the …

Expensive Children In Poor Families: Out-Of-Pocket Expenditures For The Care Of Disabled And Chronically Ill Children And Welfare Reform, Anna Lukemeyer, Marcia K. Meyers, Timothy M. Smeeding

Center for Policy Research

This study explores one aspect of the costs experienced by low-income families with one or more special needs children: direct, out-of-pocket expenses for items related to the child’s disability, such as special foods, transportation to medical clinics, or medical costs not covered by insurance. We find that almost half (46 percent) of a sample of California AFDC families with special needs children experienced some special expenses in the preceding month. About 20 percent of these low-income families experienced total costs exceeding $100. Families with severely disabled children were more likely to experience costs and tended to experience higher costs. While …

Placing A Lid On Marginal Tax Rates: A New Way To Simplify The Income Tax Structure, John Yinger

Center for Policy Research

Thanks to the phasing out of exemptions and excess itemized deductions and to the alternative minimum tax, the federal income tax rate schedule is difficult to draw, to understand, and to connect with any tax principle. Moreover, some taxpayers now face unreasonably high marginal tax rates. This paper proposes a new approach that simplifies the income tax system at its point of intersection with taxpayers; sets absolute upper and lower bounds on true marginal tax rates; and allows for the phasing out of any or all exemptions, deductions, or other tax preferences according to clear principles. This approach can achieve …

The Outlook For Onondaga County's Finances: Baseline Scenario, William Duncombe, Bernard Jump Jr.

Center for Policy Research

This is the third of four reports to the Onondaga Lake Management Conference about the economic and fiscal implications for Onondaga County of court-mandated expenditures for sewer-related remediation of Onondaga Lake.

The Cost Of Caring: Childhood Disability And Poor Families, Marcia K. Meyers, Anna Lukemeyer, Timothy M. Smeeding

Center for Policy Research

Children in poor families are at heightened risk for disabilities and chronic health problems, and care for these children can impose substantial costs on families and public programs. Although the prevalence and costs of disabilities among poor children have important policy implications, they have been largely overlooked in research on poverty and welfare and on the costs of childhood disabilities. This paper analyzes the prevalence of childhood disabilities and chronic illness among welfare recipient families in California and the probability families caring for these children experience higher out-of-pocket costs and material hardship then do other similar families.

Telecommunications Divestment: An Erosion Of Democracy In The Caribbean, Patricia K. Mccormick

Communication Faculty Research Publications

This article examines the undemocratic process of telecommunications divestment in Jamaica and Trin- idad and Tobago. The divestment of the telecommunications sector was largely prompted by each state’s inability to service external debt. Despite espousing the importance of public participation in the ownership of state-owned en- terprises being divested, the governments each limited or excluded nationals from ownership of the telephony com- panies. Divestment of the telecommunications sector was principally undertaken through private negotiations with Cable and Wireless which has historically provided service to former British colonies. This continued colonization of the telecommunications sector is at odds with the democratic …

A Review And Forecast Of The Onondaga County Economy, Shannon Felt, James R. Follain, Suzanne Mccoskey

Center for Policy Research

The purpose of this paper is to review the economy of Onondaga County and to offer a forecast of its future until the year 2035. This information will be used in forming a plan to improve the quality of Onondaga Lake. Understanding the past and the forecastable future is crucial to the formation of this plan and to anyone with a stake in the county’s future economic growth. To create this review and forecast, we used the REMI model, a multi-equation model of a local or regional economy and is a tool that is widely used in studies of this …

Onondaga County's Economic Performance Since 1980 And Prospects For The Next Decade, William Duncombe, Wilson Wong

Center for Policy Research

The last three decades have been a time of transition for the economy of Onondaga County. After its poor performance in the 1970s, it rebounded during most of the 1980s. Since then the county economy has stagnated and even declined in key sectors. This report probes behind these aggregate trends to shed light on the nature of the changing county economy. To put these trends in perspective, the county's performance is compared to that of other metropolitan areas and regions in New York State and several fast growing metropolitan areas in the South. Understanding the reasons for Onondaga County's current …

A Critical Assessment Of Master Plans, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

We would like to thank the following individuals for their support and guidance throughout the course of this project.

Our Client:

Mr. Stephen Smith, Executive Director of the Southern Regional Planning and Economic Development District

Our Professors:

John Mullin, PhD., AICP

Rick Taupier, PhD.

David Winsor, AIA

The Purpose of this report is to evaluate master plans for the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District. This project stems from Massachusetts Executive Order 385, which requires planning agencies to review their plans and policies regarding land use and growth management, and to make them as consistent with one another as …

Town Of Charlton, Massachusetts Rural Preservation Planning Study, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The town of Charlton, Massachusetts has experienced relatively high population growth over the past two and a half decades. From 1970 to 1990 the population more than doubled, and this growth is projected to continue into the next millennium. this boom in residential growth and development has placed financial pressures on the town, impacting the town's ability to provide services to its residents. For example, many of the new residents moving in to Charlton are families with children who increase the funding necessary for the town's school system budget. To offset these financial pressures, the town is actively engaging economic …

Globalization And Local Economic Development: Intersections Between The Industrial Economy And Regional Industrial Planning, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

By now it is widely accepted that we live in a global economy. We are more likely to buy goods from Korea than Kansas, we may have pension funds invested in companies on the Tokyo stock market as well as New York's, and we may work for a corporation with headquarters in Brussels rather than Boston. But despite our sense of participating in a world economy, it is difficult to understand how that world's economy intersects with the national or local economies with which we are more familiar. This is particularly significant for the regional economic development planner. Despite the …

Biotechnology And Industrial Development, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Biotechnology is defined by the industry as the commercial application of modern biology. It is a fairly young industry and it recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1996. There are over 13,000 biotech companies in the United States which employ over 100,000 people. The main focus of their research includes agricultural, environmental and medical applications. The agricultural sector research is directed towards food, food processing, animal and plant breeding applications. The areas in medical research include pharmaceuticals, gene therapy, medical instruments and medical software. Environmental applications deal with bioremediation, biopesticides and other alternatives to waste removal. The biotech industry is …

Industrial Site Selection Inventory, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The purpose of this paper is to provide a means of assessing and ranking the suitability of potential industrial sites that a particular industrial firm is considering for development. The assessment is performed as an inventory that creates a preliminary ranking of the potential sites based on the number and degree of characteristics that are favorable to the particular firm, for the purpose of establishing a systematic means of selecting a site. This inventory method has no geographical bounds in that it is suitable for use in the entire country. This method is also preliminary in nature in that the …

Telecommunications And Its Practical Application, Athol, Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Rural areas have been experiencing a transition in their economic and social structure. Traditional industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and resource extraction have been declining. The result has been a displacement of labor in rural areas and instability within rural economies. Upwards of three quarters of rural counties have experienced outmigration in the last decade. Per capita income in rural areas is only two-thirds that of their urban counterparts, and rural poverty rates exceed those in urban areas. Rural areas have traditionally considering how the quality of their education, health, and government services can be incorporated into their overall development …

Industrial Clusters And Institutional Support: A Case Study The Plastics Cluster In The Montachusetts Region And It's Training Needs, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The purpose of this research and the dual papers is to comprehensively explore industrial clusters by looking at a number of examples, and then examine in greater detail, the Montachusetts Region in north central Massachusetts where the plastics industry has a strong base. The current weakness of the plastics industry will be identified and tackled.

The shift in organizational structure from global mass producing giants to industrial clusters that focus on flexible specialization, influenced many studies throughout the 1980s and 1990s. This paper will feed from these studies and expand on the role of institutional support networks.

Assessing The Labor Needs Of Industries - Assessing The Labor Needs Of Regions: A Strategy For Collecting Regional Labor Market Information For The North Central Massachusetts Regional Employment Board, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The North Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Board (NCMREB) is a not-for- profit agency that serves the cities of Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster, and the surrounding 20 towns. It is one of 16 regional employment boards in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is "responsible for ' the oversight, coordination, and policy making' of publicly funded employment and training programs that serve all age groups." (Courtesy of NCMREB)

The challenge that the NCMREB faces is in keeping abreast of the rapidly changing labor needs of industries in the region. The more the NCMREB knows about the needs and qualities of the peoples and …

The Implications And Development Of Telecommunications, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandates that personal wireless companies develop their systems so that adequate service is provided to the public. Section 704 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 governs federal, state and local government oversight of siting of "personal wireless service" facilities (Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, 1996). The FCC published a Fact Sheet in April of 1996 which summarizes the key provisions of section 704. The summary is as follows:

Local zoning authority over the placement, construction., and modification of personal wireless service facilities is maintained by the Act. However, zoning may not:

1. discriminate between different personal wireless …

Relativism, Reflective Equilibrium, And Justice, Justin Schwartz

Justin Schwartz

THIS PAPER IS THE CO-WINNER OF THE FRED BERGER PRIZE IN PHILOSOPHY OF LAW FOR THE 1999 AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE BEST PUBLISHED PAPER IN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS.

The conflict between liberal legal theory and critical legal studies (CLS) is often framed as a matter of whether there is a theory of justice that the law should embody which all rational people could or must accept. In a divided society, the CLS critique of this view is overwhelming: there is no such justice that can command universal assent. But the liberal critique of CLS, that it degenerates into …

Risk-Based Capital, Portfolio Risk, And Bank Capital: A Simultaneous Equations Approach, Kevin T. Jacques, Peter Nigro

Kevin T Jacques

This paper examines the impact the risk-based capital standards had on bank capital and portfolio risk during the first year the risk-based standards were in effect.

Stochastic Modeling Of Active Life And Its Expectancy, Douglas A. Wolf, Sarah B. Laditka

Center for Policy Research

The concept of “active” (or “disability-free”) life, and its average value, has proven to be a useful index of public health and of quality of life for populations. A question of great interest in recent years is whether recent trends towards longer life expectancy have been accompanied by comparable increases in active life expectancy. Past research on patterns and trends of active and “inactive” life has focused almost exclusively on the expectancy—or, the average value—of years spent with and without disability. This measure is useful for actuarial calculations, for example analysis of the insurance value of programs that provide long-term …

Jumpstart 2000—The Maine Economic Improvement Strategy: A Targeted Investment In Research And Development, Mark W. Lawrence, George L. Jacobson

Maine Policy Review

In recent years Maine has ranked 50th in per capita spending on university-based research and development in the United States, a distinction that an increasing number of Maine policymakers, citizens, business representatives and researchers find alarming. Citing the positive gains R&D investments have shown in other states, not the least of which is improved economic performance, the authors set forth an argument for investing in Maine’s public R&D infrastructure. Whether and how to make such investments have been the subjects of recent debate in many states.

Forum Urges Targeted Investments To Secure Maine’S Marine Industry, Kathleen Ellis

Maine Policy Review

No abstract provided.

Class Action Reform: Lessons From Securities Litigation, Jill E. Fisch

All Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

An Inquiry Into The Efficiency Of The Limited Liability Company: Of Theory Of The Firm And Regulatory Competition, William W. Bratton, Joseph A. Mccahery

All Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The New Economics Of Jurisdictional Competition: Devolutionary Federalism In A Second-Best World, William W. Bratton, Joseph A. Mccahery

All Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Who Minimum Wage Increases Bite: An Analysis Using Monthly Data From The Sipp And Cps, Richard V. Burkhauser, Kenneth A. Couch, David C. Wittenburg

Center for Policy Research

In this paper we use an estimating equation from the research of leading proponents of the view that minimum wage increases do not cause employment losses. Rather than using annual data from the May Current Population Survey (CPS), we test this hypothesis using monthly data from both the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) and the CPS. We find the traditional result that neoclassical theory would predict: minimum wage increases create employment losses that are concentrated among less valued workers. Minimum wage increases have an insignificant effect on the employment of prime age workers (aged 25 to 61), but …