This study examines the impact of changes in marginal state income tax rates on per capita income by comparing income growth in counties on state borders with income growth in adjacent counties across the state border. Compared to a standard cross-sectional analysis, this border-matching...

The literature on the impact of welfare programs consistently shows that the incentives implied by these programs have effects on potential recipients. This paper supports that conclusion by showing that an increase in the generosity of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) increased...

Early in the 19th century local governments spent less than either the federal or state governments. By the end of the 19th century local governments spent more than the federal and state governments combined. This growth is obviously related to the growth of cities, but cities continued to grow...