We measure the effect of coal resource sector dependence on long run income growth using the natural experiment of coal mining in 409 U.S. counties that are selected for homogeneity. Using a panel data set (1970-2010), we find a one standard deviation increase in resource dependence is...

I investigate the determinants of the hazard rates of both starting and quitting the cigarette smoking habit. The model is an ordered probit split-sample duration model with lagged duration dependence and time-varying covariates (cigarette price and regulation). Duration of the smoking habit is...

The Appalachian Regional Commission's definition of the Appalachian region is the one used most often by scholars, politicians, and the popular press. The uncritical use of this definition of Appalachia raises issues of both selection bias and excess heterogeneity in regression analysis of...