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On the fiscal behavior of subnational governments. A long-term vision for Argentina

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  • Jorge Puig
  • Alberto Porto

Abstract

This paper analyzes the evolution of subnational fiscal variables in Argentina with a long-term vision. The period covers 1959-2019. The first part shows stylized facts of the main provincial fiscal variables over time. The second part studies the interaction between intergovernmental transfers on the level and the structure of provincial own revenues and expenditures. Econometric analysis, that controls for typical endogeneity problems, indicates that higher transfers do not reduce provincial own revenues and increase public expenditure. Higher transfers also bias the composition of provincial own resources towards non-distortive taxes and towards higher capital expenditure. The remarkable heterogeneity of the subnational governments in Argentina plays a key role when determining the results. As a whole findings might have important policy implications on subnational governments' public finance.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Puig & Alberto Porto, 2022. "On the fiscal behavior of subnational governments. A long-term vision for Argentina," Asociación Argentina de Economía Política: Working Papers 4588, Asociación Argentina de Economía Política.
    • Handle: RePEc:aep:anales:4588
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H29 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Other
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism

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