The fall in state tax revenue during the current recession and the one in 2001 highlights an increase in the variability of this source of revenue that has been observed over the past two decades or so. But states have sources of revenue other than taxes. However, while providing a relatively...

Keith Sill examines the theory and evidence on the link between fiscal and monetary policy and, thus, between deficits and inflation. Sill concludes that whether deficits lead to inflation depends on the extent to which a country’s monetary policy is independent.