Property taxes are rising, taking a bigger bite out of household incomes than ever before, and local public spending is out of control—right? Well, maybe…at least that seems to be the view of many Connecticut taxpayers. But is the perception accurate? The only way to really tell is to take a...

Connecticut public officials periodically worry about the state’s migration patterns. After all, labor is the key ingredient in most productive activities, and a sustained population loss may signal a stagnant economy, or at least one that is falling behind its competitors.

Economists have long recognized the role of education in promoting economic growth and wellbeing. As the U.S. and other economies have become more “knowledge-based,” the links between education and economic activity have become even stronger. Once regarded as intellectual islands with...