In this paper, we examine some popular 'choice modelling' approaches to environmental valuation, which can be considered as alternatives to more familiar valuation techniques based on stated preferences such as the contingent valuation method. A number of choice modelling methods are consistent...

It is important but difficult to distinguish between desirable and undesirable effects of unemployment insurance (UI) that are observationally equivalent when designing optimal UI schemes. For example, a UI-induced rise in the wage rate caused by workers taking more time to match their skills...

This dissertation consists of three essays addressing two issues related to crime and tax evasion. The first essay investigates the relationship between property and violent crime with law enforcement expenditures. The second essay examines the market structure in transition economies and the...

This dissertation analysis the consequences of interjurisdictional competition for a mobile tax base for the efficiency of the public sector and the growth potential of a jurisdiction.

This paper investigates the ratio of general long-term debt to general capital assets’ influence on municipal credit ratings – signals of risk to investors – and coupon rates. Given current uncertainty levels in credit markets, it is paramount that low risk be signaled to sell debt and...

addresses two long-standing positive questions in public finance: 1) Why is the property tax, despite widespread popular complaints against its fairness, the almost exclusive tax instrument used by local governments; and 2) why do we consistently observe higher levels of governments (states)...

The first paper of this dissertation utilizes unique data on teachers' union election certifications in Iowa, Indiana, and Minnesota to analyze the effect of teachers' unions on education production. I find teachers' unions have no impact on teacher pay, class sizes, or per-student expenditures,...

Die Arbeit stellt eine quantitative Untersuchung der regionalen Spillover-Effekte f?r einen sowohl sachlich als auch regional abgegrenzten Bereich - n?mlich die Gymnasien am Beispiel der Region Augsburg - dar. Dieses Ph?nomen spielt in der ?konomischen Theorie des F?deralismus und der damit...

The paper seeks to quantify the effects of macro development and fiscal indicators on the agriculturalproducer support in the OECD countries during the period 1986-2009. The study is complementaryto the body of microeconomic research that highlights the importance of support toagriculture...

The twenty-two papers collected in this volume illustrate the itinerary of Henry Tulkens, an applied theorist, on the occasion of his retirement from teaching. The collection is structured in four parts: I. Decentralized resource allocation processes for public and private goods - II....