State fiscal condition is multifaceted and difficult to measure. Using a method developed in previous research, I create the cash, budget, long-run, and service-level solvency indices using fiscal year 2012 data to measure the dimensions of fiscal condition. The five states with the...

This paper analyses the shortcomings of the current budget rules for the Bundesländer, especially the definition of public investment that is used as a deficit ceiling in Germany. Two alternative budget rules are analysed, the Swiss debt brake as well as a version incorporating a golden rule...

Das Buch verfolgt eine doppelte Stoßrichtung: Einerseits erklärt es die Unterschiede in der Höhe der Defizite der deutschen Bundesländer, andererseits werden auf Basis der empirisch festgestellten Kausalfaktoren Reformoptionen für eine effektivere Begrenzung der Defizite identifiziert....

This paper shows that smoking intensity, i.e. the amount of nicotine extracted per cigarette smoked, responds to changes in excise taxes and tobacco prices. We exploit data covering the period 1988 to 2006 across many US states. Moreover, we provide new evidence on the importance of cotinine...