We study the fiscal policy reactions of municipalities in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia to an unanticipated spending shock. The implementation of a horizontal transfer system led to additional contributions for selected municipalities. Using the quasi-random assignment, we examine...

States merge small and medium sized municipalities to achieve economies of scale. Little is known to which extent mergers of large local governments reduce expenditures. I use the synthetic control method to identify the effect of mergers of county-sized administrations in Germany (districts) on...

States merge local governments to achieve economies of scale. Little is known to which extent mergers of county-sized local governments reduce expenditures, and influence political outcomes. I use the synthetic control method to identify the effect of mergers of large local governments in...

Regional disparities within the European Union have always been perceived as an impediment to monetary integration. This is why discussions on a joint currency, from their very beginning, were linked to compensatory payments in the form of regional policy payments. Structural assistance to poor...

The political business cycle theories describe that election-motivated politicians manipulate economic policy-making. Election cycles occur in many fiscal variables, for example tax rates. I examine whether electoral motives influence communal fees in Germany. Fees have to be paid for the use of...

Die Studie untersucht die Verteilungssymmetrie zwischen Land und Kommunen im Kommunalen Finanzausgleich Schleswig-Holsteins. Anlass dieser Untersuchung sind die Anträge im Verfahren der kommunalen Verfassungsbeschwerde von drei der elf Kreise des Landes sowie der abstrakten Normenkontrolle der...

In der Klage der Länder Bayern und Hessen vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht gegen den Länderfinanzausgleich spielt die Einwohnergewichtung der Stadtstaaten eine große Rolle. Es lässt sich zeigen, dass diese gerechtfertigt ist, weil die Einwohner von Stadtstaaten - wenn sie dem kommunalen...

Die Studie untersucht die Verteilungssymmetrie zwischen Land und Kommunen im Kommunalen Finanzausgleich Schleswig‐Holsteins. Anlass dieser Untersuchung sind die Anträge im Verfahren der kommunalen Verfassungsbeschwerde von drei der elf Kreise des Landes sowie der abstrakten Normenkontrolle...

This study analyzes the efficiency of the road provision of the local governments of eastern German counties using data envelopment analysis. The provision of roads is a costly public service, which makes an efficiency analysis in this field an interesting subject. I enhance the previous...