harlandbartholomew

Week 7: Fiscal Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations, State and Local Government Spending in a Federal Context

Governments are spending big to keep the world economy from getting dangerously sick Vaguely related to class discussions on federal fiscalism and what types of expenditures should be handled at the federal, state or local level. Clearly, with the current pandemic federal governments have had to make unexpected decisions on spending to mitigate the effectsContinue reading “Week 7: Fiscal Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations, State and Local Government Spending in a Federal Context”

Week 6: Consumption Taxation, Sales Taxes, and Fundamental Tax Reform, including the Carbon Tax

Tax our tech and we’ll blacklist your bubbly It is accepted throughout the world that the treaty-based global corporate tax system needs updating. Yet how to do it has not yet been determined. France has recently implemented a 3% digital sales tax, as a way by which some tax revenue can be captured (as taxContinue reading “Week 6: Consumption Taxation, Sales Taxes, and Fundamental Tax Reform, including the Carbon Tax”

Week 5: Taxes on Risk Taking and Wealth with Special Focus on Property Taxes

St. Louis MLS group makes stadium progress, remains optimistic about port district This is more of a personal one for me. I am a born and raised St. Louisan, and I played soccer for a long time. The MLS is coming to St. Louis and the new stadium will of course demand tax incentives –Continue reading “Week 5: Taxes on Risk Taking and Wealth with Special Focus on Property Taxes”

Week 4: Taxation on Labor Supply and Business Income

Why the road to universal health care in America looks rocky The article discusses the current debate on the Democratic side of the Presidential race. It is generally agreed, on this side, that healthcare reform is needed. Many support a Medicare for all. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders support a single payer system similar toContinue reading “Week 4: Taxation on Labor Supply and Business Income”

Week 3: Tax Evaluation and Tax Incidence

A study suggests that higher minimum wages hit poorer bosses’ pockets The article touches upon the fact that some research shows in the US, Canada, and Europe that the minimum wage leads to reduced employment. In other studies, there is no effect on employment. It is not disputed that those who do remain employed makeContinue reading “Week 3: Tax Evaluation and Tax Incidence”

Week 2: Tax Evaluation Criteria, Tax Incidence and the Revenue Side of Budgeting

An Overhyped Tax Credit This editorial is an interesting examination of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is supported by both parties as a boost to employment benefits. A credit can be viewed as preferable to raising the minimum wage because it does not reduce the incentive to hire low-skilled workers. The article points outContinue reading “Week 2: Tax Evaluation Criteria, Tax Incidence and the Revenue Side of Budgeting”

Week 1: The Financial Structure of the American Government, Fiscal Federalism & Budgets

The Great Treasuries Binge The article discusses the current deficit and the potential for it to grow under what many speculate will be another round of tax cuts from President Donald Trump. The deficit is currently over a trillion dollars. Politically there is consensus on both sides of the aisle that large deficits are acceptable.Continue reading “Week 1: The Financial Structure of the American Government, Fiscal Federalism & Budgets”