The recent slowdown in the U.S. economy has led to state and local government tax increases and expenditure cuts that have lowered aggregate demand, in contrast to earlier downturns when the sector provided significant automatic stabilizers. Several explanations for this change are examined,...

Background -- Introduction / Craig L. Johnson and Kenneth A. Kriz -- A primer on tax increment financing / Craig L. Johnson and Kenneth A. Kriz -- A review of state tax increment financing laws / Kenneth A. Kriz and Craig L. Johnson -- The use of debt in tax increment financing / Tima T....

State-imposed limitations on local government taxation and expenditures (TELs) are a common part of American federalism. But the consequences of TELs are the subject of debate. Are TELs institutional constraints that harm local governments? Or are TELs institutionally irrelevant veils easily...