IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/pra/mprapa/88422.html
   My bibliography  Save this paper

U.S. State and Local Fiscal Policy and Economic Activity: Do We Know More Now?

Author

Listed:
  • Rickman, Dan S.
  • Wang, Hongbo

Abstract

Early reviews of the academic literature on the economic effects of state and local taxes and expenditures suggested that not enough was known upon which to base policy. The reviews called for better data and improvements in empirical methodology. This paper reviews studies conducted since the early literature reviews to assess our current state of knowledge. The conclusion of the study is that we know more now. But our knowledge is unlikely to ever be sufficient to provide universal policy guidance. Rather, we suggest that more research is needed on specific state and local policies for specific circumstances, consistent with the general principles that guide place-based policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Rickman, Dan S. & Wang, Hongbo, 2018. "U.S. State and Local Fiscal Policy and Economic Activity: Do We Know More Now?," MPRA Paper 88422, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:88422
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/88422/1/MPRA_paper_88422.pdf
    File Function: original version
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    Other versions of this item:

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James Alm, 2017. "Is Economics Useful for Public Policy?," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 83(4), pages 835-854, April.
    2. Yihua Yu & Dan S. Rickman, 2013. "US state and local fiscal policies and non-metropolitan area economic performance: A spatial equilibrium analysis," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 92(3), pages 579-597, August.
    3. Christina D. Romer & David H. Romer, 2010. "The Macroeconomic Effects of Tax Changes: Estimates Based on a New Measure of Fiscal Shocks," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 100(3), pages 763-801, June.
    4. Lori L. Taylor & Stephen P. A. Brown, 2006. "The Private Sector Impact Of State And Local Government: Has More Become Bad?," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 24(4), pages 548-562, October.
    5. Reed, W. Robert, 2008. "The Robust Relationship Between Taxes and U.S. State Income Growth," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 61(1), pages 57-80, March.
    6. Alberto Abadie & Javier Gardeazabal, 2003. "The Economic Costs of Conflict: A Case Study of the Basque Country," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 93(1), pages 113-132, March.
    7. Mark Gius, 2011. "The effect of income taxes on interstate migration: an analysis by age and race," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 46(1), pages 205-218, February.
    8. Hongbo Wang, 2016. "The Texas economic model, miracle or mirage? A spatial hedonic analysis," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 56(2), pages 393-417, March.
    9. Timothy J. Bartik, 1991. "Who Benefits from State and Local Economic Development Policies?," Books from Upjohn Press, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, number wbsle, August.
    10. Erin Borchers & John Deskins & Amanda Ross, 2016. "Can State Tax Policies Be Used To Grow Small And Large Businesses?," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 34(2), pages 312-335, April.
    11. Donald Bruce & John Deskins, 2012. "Can state tax policies be used to promote entrepreneurial activity?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 38(4), pages 375-397, May.
    12. Paul W. Bauer & Mark E. Schweitzer & Scott A. Shane, 2012. "Knowledge Matters: The Long‐Run Determinants Of State Income Growth," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(2), pages 240-255, May.
    13. Stephan J Goetz & Mark D Partridge & Dan S Rickman & Shibalee Majumdar, 2011. "Sharing the Gains of Local Economic Growth: Race-to-the-Top versus Race-to-the-Bottom Economic Development," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 29(3), pages 428-456, June.
    14. Enrico Moretti & Daniel J. Wilson, 2017. "The Effect of State Taxes on the Geographical Location of Top Earners: Evidence from Star Scientists," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 107(7), pages 1858-1903, July.
    15. William G. Gale & Aaron Krupkin & Kim Rueben, 2015. "The Relationship Between Taxes and Growth at the State Level: New Evidence," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 68(4), pages 919-942, December.
    16. Ojede, Andrew & Yamarik, Steven, 2012. "Tax policy and state economic growth: The long-run and short-run of it," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 116(2), pages 161-165.
    17. Jerome Segura III, 2017. "The effect of state and local taxes on economic growth: A spatial dynamic panel approach," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 96(3), pages 627-645, August.
    18. Jacques Poot, 2000. "A Synthesis of Empirical Research on the Impact of Government onLong‐Run Growth," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 516-546.
    19. Dan S. Rickman, 2013. "Should Oklahoma Be More Like Texas? A Taxing Decision," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 43(1), pages 1-22, Summer.
    20. Charles F. Manski, 1993. "Identification of Endogenous Social Effects: The Reflection Problem," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 60(3), pages 531-542.
    21. Abadie, Alberto & Diamond, Alexis & Hainmueller, Jens, 2010. "Synthetic Control Methods for Comparative Case Studies: Estimating the Effect of California’s Tobacco Control Program," Journal of the American Statistical Association, American Statistical Association, vol. 105(490), pages 493-505.
    22. Neil Bania & Joe A. Stone, 2008. "Ranking state fiscal structures using theory and evidence," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(4), pages 751-770.
    23. Owen Zidar, 2019. "Tax Cuts for Whom? Heterogeneous Effects of Income Tax Changes on Growth and Employment," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 127(3), pages 1437-1472.
    24. George W. Hammond & Eric C. Thompson, 2008. "Determinants of Income Growth in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Labor Markets," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 90(3), pages 783-793.
    25. Marc Tomljanovich, 2004. "The Role of State Fiscal Policy in State Economic Growth," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 22(3), pages 318-330, July.
    26. Rohlin, Shawn & Rosenthal, Stuart S. & Ross, Amanda, 2014. "Tax avoidance and business location in a state border model," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 34-49.
    27. Roback, Jennifer, 1982. "Wages, Rents, and the Quality of Life," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 90(6), pages 1257-1278, December.
    28. Helms, L Jay, 1985. "The Effect of State and Local Taxes on Economic Growth: A Time Series-Cross Section Approach," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 67(4), pages 574-582, November.
    29. Alison Felix, 2009. "Do state corporate income taxes reduce wages?," Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, vol. 94(Q II), pages 77-102.
    30. Rossitza B. Wooster & Joshua W. Lehner, 2010. "Reexamining The Border Tax Effect: A Case Study Of Washington State," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 28(4), pages 511-523, October.
    31. Thompson, Jeffrey P. & Rohlin, Shawn M., 2012. "The Effect of Sales Taxes on Employment: New Evidence From Cross-Border Panel Data Analysis," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 65(4), pages 1023-1041, December.
    32. Zulal S. Denaux, 2007. "Endogenous Growth, Taxes and Government Spending: Theory and Evidence," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 11(1), pages 124-138, February.
    33. Coomes, Paul A. & Hoyt, William H., 2008. "Income taxes and the destination of movers to multistate MSAs," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(3), pages 920-937, May.
    34. Lee, Lung-fei, 2007. "Identification and estimation of econometric models with group interactions, contextual factors and fixed effects," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 140(2), pages 333-374, October.
    35. Young, Cristobal & Varner, Charles, 2011. "Millionaire Migration and State Taxation of Top Incomes: Evidence From a Natural Experiment," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 64(2), pages 255-283, June.
    36. Harden, J. William & Hoyt, William H., 2003. "Do States Choose Their Mix of Taxes to Minimize Employment Losses?," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 56(1), pages 7-26, March.
    37. Conroy, Tessa & Deller, Steven & Tsvetkova, Alexandra, 2016. "Regional business climate and interstate manufacturing relocation decisions," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 155-168.
    38. Xavier Giroud & Joshua Rauh, 2017. "State Taxation and the Reallocation of Business Activity: Evidence from Establishment-Level Data," Working Papers 17-02, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    39. John Deskins & Brian Hill, 2010. "State taxes and economic growth revisited: have distortions changed?," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 44(2), pages 331-348, April.
    40. Bania, Neil & Gray, Jo Anna & Stone, Joe A., 2007. "Growth, Taxes, and Government Expenditures: Growth Hills for U.S. States," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 60(2), pages 193-204, June.
    41. Ronald C. Fisher, 1997. "Effects of state and local public services on economic development," New England Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, issue Mar, pages 53-82.
    42. Michael Wasylenko, 1997. "Taxation and economic development: the state of the economic literature," New England Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, issue Mar, pages 37-52.
    43. repec:rre:publsh:v:33:y:2003:i:1:p:40-60 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Michael Mamo, 2023. "Direct Versus Indirect Taxes and State Income Growth: 1991–2015," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 49(4), pages 516-548, October.
    2. Sun, Xiaohua & Ren, Junlin & Wang, Yun, 2022. "The impact of resource taxation on resource curse: Evidence from Chinese resource tax policy," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Dan S. Rickman & Hongbo Wang, 2023. "Creating and maintaining film clusters: Synthetic control method analysis of the enactment and repeal of US state film incentives," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 102(2), pages 363-392, April.
    4. Koirala, Samjhana & Jakus, Paul M. & Watson, Philip, 2023. "Identifying Constraints to Rural Economic Development: A Development Guidance Function Approach," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 48(3), September.
    5. Martin Meurers & Johannes Moenius, 2020. "Market Potential and Fiscal Incentives Influence Firms’ Location Decisions: Evidence From U.S. Counties," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 34(2), pages 126-139, May.
    6. Yulong Chen & Kevin D. Duncan & Liyuan Ma & Peter F. Orazem, 2023. "How relative marginal tax rates affect establishment entry at state borders," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(3), pages 1081-1103, March.
    7. Mariam Abbas Soharwardi & Javeria Sarwar & Muhammad Imran Khan & Mariam Miraj, 2022. "Fiscal and Monetary Policy Dilemma in Pakistan to Support Economic Growth," Journal of Economic Impact, Science Impact Publishers, vol. 4(3), pages 233-243.
    8. Natalia I. Doré & Aurora A. C. Teixeira, 2023. "Empirical Literature on Economic Growth, 1991–2020: Uncovering Extant Gaps and Avenues for Future Research," Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, Emerging Markets Forum, vol. 15(1), pages 7-37, January.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rickman, Dan S. & Wang, Hongbo, 2022. "Estimating the Economic Effects of US State and Local Fiscal Policy: A Synthetic Control Method Matched Regression Approach," MPRA Paper 112575, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Hongbo Wang, 2016. "The Texas economic model, miracle or mirage? A spatial hedonic analysis," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 56(2), pages 393-417, March.
    3. Sohani Fatehin & David L. Sjoquist, 2021. "State and Local Taxes and Employment by Wage Level," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 35(1), pages 53-65, February.
    4. Timothy M. Komarek, 2020. "State‐level austerity, education, and large urban labor markets: Evidence from fiscal policy experiments in Kansas and Wisconsin," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(2), pages 556-583, June.
    5. Dan S. Rickman, 2013. "Should Oklahoma Be More Like Texas? A Taxing Decision," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 43(1), pages 1-22, Summer.
    6. Peter Bluestone & Carolyn Bourdeaux, 2019. "Dynamic Revenue Analysis: Experience of the States," Center for State and Local Finance Working Paper Series cslf1911, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.
    7. Yihua Yu & Dan S. Rickman, 2013. "US state and local fiscal policies and non-metropolitan area economic performance: A spatial equilibrium analysis," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 92(3), pages 579-597, August.
    8. Rickman, Dan S. & Wang, Hongbo, 2018. "Two tales of two U.S. states: Regional fiscal austerity and economic performance," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 46-55.
    9. Jerome Segura III, 2017. "The effect of state and local taxes on economic growth: A spatial dynamic panel approach," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 96(3), pages 627-645, August.
    10. Masud Alam, 2021. "Heterogeneous Responses to the U.S. Narrative Tax Changes: Evidence from the U.S. States," Papers 2107.13678, arXiv.org.
    11. Richard Funderburg & Timothy J. Bartik & Alan H. Peters & Peter S. Fisher, 2013. "The Impact Of Marginal Business Taxes On State Manufacturing," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(4), pages 557-582, October.
    12. Andrew Ojede & Bebonchu Atems & Steven Yamarik, 2018. "The Direct and Indirect (Spillover) Effects of Productive Government Spending on State Economic Growth," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(1), pages 122-141, March.
    13. Xavier Giroud & Joshua Rauh, 2017. "State Taxation and the Reallocation of Business Activity: Evidence from Establishment-Level Data," Working Papers 17-02, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    14. Gjerde, Kathy Paulson & Prescott, Peter & Rice, Jennifer, 2019. "The Impact of State Fiscal Policy on States' Resilience Entering the Great Recession," Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, Mid-Continent Regional Science Association, vol. 49(1), January.
    15. Carlianne Patrick, 2014. "Does Increasing Available Non-Tax Economic Development Incentives Result in More Jobs?," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 67(2), pages 351-386, June.
    16. Emilian DOBRESCU, 2016. "Controversies over the Size of the Public Budget," Journal for Economic Forecasting, Institute for Economic Forecasting, vol. 0(4), pages 5-34, December.
    17. Michael Mamo, 2023. "Direct Versus Indirect Taxes and State Income Growth: 1991–2015," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 49(4), pages 516-548, October.
    18. Yulong Chen & Kevin D. Duncan & Liyuan Ma & Peter F. Orazem, 2023. "How relative marginal tax rates affect establishment entry at state borders," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(3), pages 1081-1103, March.
    19. David R. Agrawal & Jan K. Brueckner, 2022. "Taxes and Telework: The Impacts of State Income Taxes in a Work-from-Home Economy," CESifo Working Paper Series 9975, CESifo.
    20. Xavier Giroud & Joshua D. Rauh, 2016. "State Taxation and the Reallocation of Business Activity: Evidence from Establishment-Level Data," Economics Working Papers 16103, Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    State and local taxes; regional economic growth;

    JEL classification:

    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • H72 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Budget and Expenditures
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
    • R38 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - Government Policy

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:88422. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Joachim Winter (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/vfmunde.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.