Pennsylvania ranks near the top in tax burden and near the bottom in business friendliness in the nation. While much good can be said about the state's at personal income tax rate and relatively low sales tax rate, Pennsylvania's business taxes are in serious need of reform. The state government...

In recent years, a raft of studies has examined the effect of various institutions on state fiscal outcomes, especially per capita spending. A review of the literature reveals that one institution has an especially large effect on government spending: states with separate legislative committees...

Pennsylvania ranks near the top in tax burden and near the bottom in business friendliness in the nation. While much good can be said about the state s flat personal income tax rate and relatively low sales tax rate, Pennsylvania s business taxes are in serious need of reform. The state...

This study estimates the effect of the combined (Federal and state) estate, inheritance, and gift (EIG) tax burden per decedent on the number of firms in the United States. Estimates are based on a longitudinal panel of 50 American states from 1988 to 2006. We find that the growth in the EIG tax...

This study estimates the effect of state legislative term limits on state tax revenue, general expenditure and its main components: welfare, highways, health, education, and state aid to local governments. Two alternative measures of term limits are used: an original term limit index developed...

The principal-agent problem and uncertainty are some of the key factors affecting financial and political markets. Fear of the unknown plays an important role in human decision making, including voting. This article describes a theoretical model where voter risk aversion towards uncertainty...

The rise of the Industrial Revolution is often depicted as a cause of hazardous working conditions and is skillfully epitomized in William Blake’s tale of a child chimney sweeper. Conventional wisdom puts firm profit in conflict with occupational safety. We reexamine this argument noting that...