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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

State Finance In Times Of Crisis, Brian Galle, Jonathan Klick Sep 2009

State Finance In Times Of Crisis, Brian Galle, Jonathan Klick

All Faculty Scholarship

As recent events illustrate, state finances are pro-cyclical: during recessions, state revenues crash, worsening the effects of economic downturns. This problem is well-known, yet persistent. We argue here that, in light of predictable federalism and political economy dynamics, states will be unable to change this situation on their own. Additionally, we note that many possible federal remedies may result in worse problems, such as creating moral hazard that would induce states to take on excessively risky policy, both fiscal and otherwise. Thus, we argue that policy makers should consider so-called “automatic” stabilizers, such as are found in the federal tax …


Payroll Taxes, Wealth And Employment In Neoclassical Theory: Neutrality Or Non-Neutrality?, Hian Teck Hoon May 2009

Payroll Taxes, Wealth And Employment In Neoclassical Theory: Neutrality Or Non-Neutrality?, Hian Teck Hoon

Research Collection School Of Economics

The theoretical proposition that temporarily below-normal tax rates on labor this year, when merged with the prospect of reversion to normal rates next year, will encourage households to squeeze more work into this year and to work less in future years is well-founded. This proposition was recently tested anew on Icelandic data and performed well empirically (Bianchi, Gudmundsson and Zoega (2001)). But would a permanent cut in tax rates on labor encourage more work permanently—with no diminution of effectiveness? Conversely, does a permanent increase in tax rates on labor cause a permanent decline in hours worked?


Through The Looking Glass: The Politics Of Estate Tax Reform, Edward J. Mccaffery Dec 2008

Through The Looking Glass: The Politics Of Estate Tax Reform, Edward J. Mccaffery

Edward J McCaffery

This brief article summarizes an argument that the estate tax reform or repeal debate has always been about money: not the government’s money from the tax, which is modest at best, but the politicians money from campaign contributions elicited to retain or repeal the tax. The article uses that theory to predict likely short term legislative developments.