By Corrine Bresky With the rise in global urbanization comes new opportunities to transform city functioning in response to population shifts. In 2020, approximately 56.2% of the world’s population resided in urban areas. This number is expected to continue to grow, with projections for 2050 showing an additional 12% of the world in these areas. … Continue reading Smart Cities: A Data-Driven Tool to Solve Urban Challenges
Interview with Dr. Staley: Filmmaking and Public Policy
On June 25, 2020, DeVoe L. Moore Center director Sam Staley participated in an on-line webinar on the intersection between public policy and filmmaking. The webinar was a partnership between the center, Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy, and Southern California-based film production company Korchula Productions. Film has become an increasingly important medium for communicating … Continue reading Interview with Dr. Staley: Filmmaking and Public Policy
Entrepreneurship programs challenge conventional wisdom on criminal justice
Those who choose the path of an entrepreneur have the opportunity to reclaim their lives on their own terms, saving themselves while bettering their own communities and making a meaningful contribution to the economy.
BetterWorldBooks Promotes Literacy Through Enterprise
By Gianni Vasquez BetterWorldBooks, a self-sustaining, triple-bottom-line company promotes and advocates for literacy around the world. Their online book-selling platform enables consumers to be participants in the company’s Book for Book™ initiative which was launched in 2011. Via this program, purchases made on the company’s site have supported the distribution of 28 million books to … Continue reading BetterWorldBooks Promotes Literacy Through Enterprise
Effects of Increased Competition on School Efficiency
By Andrea Medici In addition to spurring competition between school districts, school choice policies attempt to introduce competition within school districts by changing the competitive landscape of local education markets. The introduction of private and charter schools, as well as virtual learning programs, are all attempts to incentivize public schools to be more efficient and … Continue reading Effects of Increased Competition on School Efficiency
Is Open Enrollment Effective Market-Based Education Reform?
By Andrea Medici Since the 1950s school choice has been implemented in many forms to support the education system in the United States. Open enrollment is one such approach that requires school districts to enroll students who reside in other districts. This is a particularly pertinent subject to Florida as the 2017-18 school year marked … Continue reading Is Open Enrollment Effective Market-Based Education Reform?
Corporate Social Responsibility and the Millennial Generation
By Alexis Gimbel The concept of corporate social responsibility, also known as “CSR,” is a company’s efforts to take accountability for its effects on the environment and society. A firm that practices CSR will often operate in a manner that surpasses the business standards required by government regulations. This ideal has led to the development … Continue reading Corporate Social Responsibility and the Millennial Generation
Crony Capitalism and the Rising Price of the EpiPen
By William Reynolds Monopolies are often the by-product of market failures that are induced through crony capitalist policies. Crony capitalist policies are pieces of legislation enacted to benefit politicians and private companies at the cost of the consumers. The ramifications of these policies on competitive markets can be far-reaching, and in certain instances have larger … Continue reading Crony Capitalism and the Rising Price of the EpiPen
Raising the Gas Tax Will Not Help Finance Public Infrastructure
By Giovanna da Silva As a part of his plan to revamp US public infrastructure, President Donald Trump recently suggested increasing the gasoline tax to 25 cents a gallon from the current rate of 18.4 cents per gallon to help fund his $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan. This isn’t a new idea, however, as proposals for … Continue reading Raising the Gas Tax Will Not Help Finance Public Infrastructure
Is the Gas Tax a Sustainable Revenue Source for Roads?
By Giovanna da Silva Millions of Americans depend on roads in their everyday lives. US roads handle 8 billion miles of traffic per day. For most of America’s contemporary history, federal, state, and local governments have maintained and funded roads. Currently, there are 4 million miles of public road in the country. Gas taxes and … Continue reading Is the Gas Tax a Sustainable Revenue Source for Roads?
Food Trucks Pave Way Toward Food Security
By Alex Krutchik Almost every day, we pass by a food truck. Whether it be on campus, a local park, or a carnival, the idea is the same: go up, order your food, pay for it, and receive what you ordered. But for six trucks across the United States and Canada, the process works in … Continue reading Food Trucks Pave Way Toward Food Security
Private Sector Can Shoulder Some of the Risk for New Road Construction
By Giovanna da Silva The 21st century has seen a substantial increase in public-private partnerships in the United States and around the world. The basic principle behind public-private partnerships, or P3s, is that government works with the private sector in order to build and finance public works projects. P3s have been increasingly encouraged by state … Continue reading Private Sector Can Shoulder Some of the Risk for New Road Construction
Israeli Consumers Would Benefit from Greater Competition in Agricultural Industry
By Kristen Carpenter A gallon of milk in Israel costs approximately $6 and eggs are priced at around $3.50. Meanwhile, the prices of milk and eggs in the United States cost consumers about half as much: $3.20 and $2.41, respectively. Israel’s high food costs can largely be attributed to the country’s arid and hilly landscape … Continue reading Israeli Consumers Would Benefit from Greater Competition in Agricultural Industry
How Israel’s Crony Capitalism Undermines Its Reputation as a “Start-up Nation”
By Kristen Carpenter Israel is often nicknamed as the “start-up nation” for its thriving high-tech industries and successful entrepreneurial ventures. Unfortunately, the country is also known for its protectionist policies in the economic sector. A report by the Brookings Institution found that Israeli industries have above-average market concentration rates across all sectors, including manufacturing, real … Continue reading How Israel’s Crony Capitalism Undermines Its Reputation as a “Start-up Nation”
Why the U.S. Should Adopt the Nordic Approach to Private Roads
By Giovanna da Silva Many view the United States as a free market capitalist state and Nordic countries such as Sweden and Finland as socialist due to their extensive welfare system. Yet, in the United States, most roads, highways, and other transportation infrastructure are publicly owned and operated. Meanwhile, the vast majority of roads in … Continue reading Why the U.S. Should Adopt the Nordic Approach to Private Roads
Entrepreneur Develops Technology to Monitor Police Interactions
By Leesa Newbon and Giovanna da Silva Transparency and government accountability are considered essential components to maintaining a healthy democracy and reducing corruption. With the rise of technological advancements in the digital media era, entrepreneurs can facilitate demands for transparency by developing online programs and apps that allow citizens to monitor government institutions and agencies. … Continue reading Entrepreneur Develops Technology to Monitor Police Interactions
Jones Act Protectionism Hinders Puerto Rican Recovery Efforts
By Giovanna da Silva On September 16, Category 5 Hurricane Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico with sustained winds of 155 miles per hour. Maria set the record as the strongest hurricane to hit the island in 89 years. With millions of displaced Puerto Ricans desperately in need of basic essentials, such as oil, food, … Continue reading Jones Act Protectionism Hinders Puerto Rican Recovery Efforts
The Jones Act is Sinking the Growth of American Industries
By Giovanna DaSilva The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly referred to as the Jones Act, is a law enacted to protect the United States’ maritime industry, regulate commerce, and bolster national defense. While well-intentioned, the act fails to reflect the current needs of the United States. Repealing the Jones Act would prove beneficial to … Continue reading The Jones Act is Sinking the Growth of American Industries
Challenges to Privatizing Flood Insurance
Giovanna Dasilva The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), implemented in 1968 to address a market failure in the flood insurance sector, has been the subject of scrutiny following hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Increasing the scope of the private sector has often been cited as a potential solution to the NFIP’s pitfalls. However, there are challenges … Continue reading Challenges to Privatizing Flood Insurance
Bethel Church: Visions of a Frenchtown Renaissance
N'namdi Green Since its official inception in 1870, Bethel Missionary Church has been a staple within the greater downtown area of Tallahassee. Throughout the years, Bethel Church has created and maintained a strong presence in the Frenchtown area by serving not only as a religious hub, but also as an epicenter for social engagement within … Continue reading Bethel Church: Visions of a Frenchtown Renaissance
After this Hurricane Season, We Need to Rethink Flood Insurance
Giovanna Dasilva With the national spotlight on flooding caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has come under scrutiny. The federal program primarily focuses on offering flood insurance coverage and reducing the impact of flood damage. The NFIP was established in 1968 to counteract a market failure on the … Continue reading After this Hurricane Season, We Need to Rethink Flood Insurance
Property Tax Appeal Process Benefits Wealthy, Non-minority Homeowners
Property taxes in Florida are based on annual assessments of property values made by county officials. Homeowners in Florida can challenge assessments that they believe overvalue their property and inflate their tax bill. Informally, the homeowner may meet with the assessor to negotiate for a reduced assessment. The homeowner may also petition for a formal … Continue reading Property Tax Appeal Process Benefits Wealthy, Non-minority Homeowners
Economic Freedom Key to Cities’ Success
By Matt Kelly Economic freedom is the unrestricted ability of people in a country to associate and transact with one another. Measuring economic freedom has become a growing area of academic research. Probably the best known measure is the index constructed for the “Economic Freedom of the World” annual report on 159 countries published by … Continue reading Economic Freedom Key to Cities’ Success
Beyond Recidivism: Addressing Behavioral Change within American Prisons
By Stephany Bittar Two-thirds of the 2.3 million Americans that are currently housed in the U.S. state and federal prison systems are expected to reoffend within three years of their release. Recidivism, or the tendency of a criminal to reoffend, is one of the most prevalent social problems facing current and former prisoners. High recidivism … Continue reading Beyond Recidivism: Addressing Behavioral Change within American Prisons
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Still Vulnerable to Underfunding
By Chad Thomas Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens) is a state-run insurer of last resort for commercial and residential property owners unable to afford a policy in the private market. Citizens tends to insure wealthy homeowners along the coast, where property values and the risk of damage are highest. In 2002, the Florida Windstorm … Continue reading Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Still Vulnerable to Underfunding
Study Finds Growth Management Laws Reduce Housing Affordability
by Matt Kelly A new study by Cato Institute Senior Fellow Randal O’Toole explores the history and effects of growth management in the United States. Growth-management laws, according to O’Toole, “restrict rural development in order to force most growth into the cities.” In “The New Feudalism: Why States Must Repeal Growth-Management Laws” O’Toole finds these … Continue reading Study Finds Growth Management Laws Reduce Housing Affordability
Preparing Florida’s Government Policy for The Next Big Hurricane
by Chad Thomas Political and economic conditions in New Orleans before 2005 left the city unprepared for Hurricane Katrina. The government bureaucracies responsible for levee maintenance were mismanaged and corrupt officials diverted needed funds. Weak economic performance before Katrina also set up affected areas for slow recovery afterward. New Orleans’ experience shows how government can … Continue reading Preparing Florida’s Government Policy for The Next Big Hurricane
Monopolistic Licensing Board Taken to Court, Others Could Follow
By Matt Kelly In 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that North Carolina’s State Board of Dental Examiners, which administers the state’s occupational licensing regulations, violated federal antitrust law. Occupational licensing has been growing for decades, both in terms of the number of regulated industries and the costs to those seeking licenses. However, the North … Continue reading Monopolistic Licensing Board Taken to Court, Others Could Follow
New Overtime Rules Blocked For Now, But Uncertainty Weighs on Businesses
By Matt Kelly CLOCK IN TIME: 6:10pm Work in the United States may be about to change. The Department of Labor (DOL) has updated overtime rules relating to the Fair Labor Standards Act, and some changes could have a big impact on businesses’ labor costs. The rules were set to take effect on December 1, … Continue reading New Overtime Rules Blocked For Now, But Uncertainty Weighs on Businesses
New Study Examines Spillover Effects of Real Estate Owned Properties
Since the housing market collapse, banks have repossessed large numbers of homes. These REO or real estate owned properties are often vacant and rundown and can lower the values of nearby residences. While research confirms this spillover effect of REOs on other properties, few studies have evaluated its relative magnitude in different neighborhoods. DeVoe Moore … Continue reading New Study Examines Spillover Effects of Real Estate Owned Properties
Local Government Revenue Indicates Sluggish Recovery for Florida’s Businesses
By Benjamin Petersen and Matthew Laird Revenue collected by Florida’s local governments has grown dramatically in the last few decades, raising the importance that Floridians have an accurate understanding of how our governments raise and spend taxdollars. Revenue collected by local governments from permits, fees, and licenses is of particular importance for Florida’s business and … Continue reading Local Government Revenue Indicates Sluggish Recovery for Florida’s Businesses
Tourism Vital to Florida’s Economy
By Erick Winterkamp Florida is known around the world for its white sandy beaches, diverse wildlife and theme parks. These environmental and manmade attractions make it a hotspot for domestic and international tourism. State and local taxes and spending have impacted the tourism industry, but Florida would likely be a tourism destination with or without … Continue reading Tourism Vital to Florida’s Economy
Targeted Industry Tax Incentives in Florida
By Marisa Lupica Tax incentives are a significant but ineffective part of states’ economic development policy. As of 2012 states spent an estimated $80.4 billion annually on tax incentives for businesses. Yet, most economic research on the subject finds that targeted tax incentives are ineffective at attracting businesses, creating jobs, or improving a state’s economic … Continue reading Targeted Industry Tax Incentives in Florida
The Per Business Regulatory Burden: Ranking Florida’s Local Governments
By Matt Kelly and Tyler Worthington The dramatic increase in federal government regulation has been well documented by economists and journalists, as has its detrimental effects on economic growth. The DeVoe Moore Center has constructed assorted measures of state and local regulatory restrictiveness. This article focused on revenues collected per business on the local level … Continue reading The Per Business Regulatory Burden: Ranking Florida’s Local Governments
Community Redevelopment Agencies
By Casey Barr Local governments face the perennial dilemma of obtaining money to fund community redevelopment projects. Requesting state or federal funds can be an arduous bureaucratic process, and these funds are often awarded to larger, more prominent cities, ignoring smaller towns where need is arguably greater. Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) allow local governments to … Continue reading Community Redevelopment Agencies
Florida Facing the Wrong Direction on Immigration Reform
By Selene Capparelli The US immigration system has been badly broken for many decades. Mass deportation, enhanced border security, and keeping undocumented workers in perpetual illegal status have been proven to be very costly and ineffective methods to handle the constant influx of new immigrants.These policies result in hundreds of border-crossing deaths each year, abject … Continue reading Florida Facing the Wrong Direction on Immigration Reform
Urban gardens face zoning restrictions
By Stephany Bittar Urban gardens are cropping up all over the country, and it’s easy to see why. Growing food inside cities can be cheap, and can provide a new level of control over what we consume. Urban gardens can also strengthen communities by providing a healthy alternative to impoverished areas with limited access to … Continue reading Urban gardens face zoning restrictions
Top 2% of state employees see faster rise in income than bottom 98% since the Great Recession
By: Igor Lukashevich In 2014, the world was abuzz with talk of Thomas Piketty’s treatise on global economic inequality, Capital in the Twenty-First Century. The rising global disparity of income, the author argued, will inevitably result in social and economic instability across the world. It is interesting to note that income inequality also exists, and … Continue reading Top 2% of state employees see faster rise in income than bottom 98% since the Great Recession
Regulation of Uber, Lyft Should Be Local, Not Statewide
By Matt Kelly It seems that everywhere Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies (TNCs) set up shop, trouble with local regulators follows. The situation in Florida has been no different. The Uber vs. taxi debate has been so heated that state lawmakers have proposed legislation (HB 509) to simply regulate all vehicles for … Continue reading Regulation of Uber, Lyft Should Be Local, Not Statewide
Fix the FRS Before It Breaks
By Randall G. Holcombe, Ph.D. In a recent blog post I argued in favor of shifting the Florida Retirement System (FRS) that provides pensions for retired state workers to a defined contribution system, and privatizing the system. Governor Scott and many legislators favor the shift to a defined contribution system, and because many private companies … Continue reading Fix the FRS Before It Breaks
FDA Rules May Vaporize The E-cigarette Industry
By Kevin Gomez In the last three years, the electronic-cigarette business has exploded. According to Wells Fargo Securities, the “vaping” industry has gone from estimated revenue of $1 billion in 2012 to $3.5 billion in 2015. Although much more research is needed to assess e-cigarettes health effects, some medical professionals say it is at least … Continue reading FDA Rules May Vaporize The E-cigarette Industry
Measuring Liberty: The Economic Freedom of the World Index
By Matt Kelly Defining freedom can be a difficult endeavor, yet the ability to compare relative economic and social liberties among countries is of significant importance for economic research. With that aim in mind, Florida State University professor and DeVoe Moore scholar James Gwartney and Robert Lawson of Southern Methodist University, have compiled the Economic … Continue reading Measuring Liberty: The Economic Freedom of the World Index
Taxis and Ridesourcing Companies Serve Different Customers
By Matt Kelly Uber, Lyft, Sidecar, and other “ridesourcing” services have been the subject of a near continuous stream of popular news stories, lawsuits, protests, and even regulatory reforms across the world. The reporting has often bordered on sensationalism, but a handful of recent economic studies have tried to objectively examine the effects of “ridesourcing” … Continue reading Taxis and Ridesourcing Companies Serve Different Customers
FSU Students Learn about Emerging Sharing Economy
By Katie Dawson Last month, the DeVoe L. Moore Center had the opportunity to co-sponsor a one-day conference with the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) at Florida State University. FEE is an organization dedicated to educating individuals on free-markets and economics in a way that is both easily digestible and interesting. On February 28, their … Continue reading FSU Students Learn about Emerging Sharing Economy
The Foundations of Political Capitalism
By Matt Kelly Thomas Piketty’s Capital in the Twenty-First Century raised quite a stir last year among economists. Piketty identifies rising wealth inequality as inherent in capitalism, and recommends a worldwide wealth tax to temper its effects. Many have taken issue with Piketty’s data and analysis, and the idea that inequality is rising at all … Continue reading The Foundations of Political Capitalism
A March for Charity Reform is Afoot
Original post date: August, 28, 2014 Posted by: Matt Kelly By June of next year, hundreds, perhaps thousands will be marching 60 miles through New England to Salem, Massachusetts, the site where the Pilgrims first landed at Plymouth Rock. For three days, these passionate activists will trudge a path to change the world. They will … Continue reading A March for Charity Reform is Afoot
Solar Energy Users Left in the Dark by Utilities
Original post date: February 06, 2014 Article by: Anonymous Solar powered homes are becoming increasingly ubiquitous as US citizens move toward more environmentally sustainable ways of using energy. In 2013 rooftop solar systems were being installed at a rate of one new installation every 4 minutes. Although the Obama Administration is pushing for public and … Continue reading Solar Energy Users Left in the Dark by Utilities
Why do Workers Support The Minimum Wage?
Original post date: February 03, 2014 Article by: Ben Douglas One of the more peculiar political phenomena of our time is the widespread support of minimum wage laws among unskilled labor, particularly service workers in low-wage industries such as hotels, restaurants, and retail shops. This is likely to increase with President Obama’s push to increase … Continue reading Why do Workers Support The Minimum Wage?
Selling Land to Buy Land
Original post date: January 22, 2014 Article by: Anonymous 6/7/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. Florida has more than 3 million acres of state lands protected from development by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Almost 5,000 acres of this conservation land could soon be up for sale. The … Continue reading Selling Land to Buy Land
Entrenched Interests Fight Innovation in Taxi Industry
Original post date: November 19, 2013 Article by: Ben Douglas 5/24/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. A revolutionary new smartphone app is changing the nature of the taxicab business, but stiff opposition from entrenched taxi companies risks keeping their innovations from benefiting customers. Uber is a venture-capital funded startup … Continue reading Entrenched Interests Fight Innovation in Taxi Industry
Preliminary Prices on Obamacare Exchanges Exceeds Estimates
Original post date: October 30, 2013 Article by: Anonymous Now that October 1 has passed, the online marketplaces for health insurance under Obamacare are open for business. Individuals are free to browse the site and choose any policy available to them after answering some questions and being guided through their options. So far, site traffic … Continue reading Preliminary Prices on Obamacare Exchanges Exceeds Estimates
Transit Reform in Santiago: Part II
Original post date: October 22, 2013 Article by: Ben Douglas 5/16/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. The success of any endeavor is dependent upon the metric being used. If the goal of transit reform in Santiago, Chile was the elimination of profit from transit and the homogenization of bus … Continue reading Transit Reform in Santiago: Part II
San Diego’s Pension Reform Bodes Well for Carl Demaio
Original post date: October 10, 2013 Article by: Anonymous 5/10/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. Carl DeMaio is one controversial congressional candidate. He served from 2008 to 2012 as city councilman of San Diego, where his ideas for pension reform became popularized, and he is also a policy analyst … Continue reading San Diego’s Pension Reform Bodes Well for Carl Demaio
Lima’s Transit Woes
Original post date: October 07, 2013 Article by: Ben Douglas The World Bank has devoted a considerable amount of funding in recent years to the establishment of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in Latin America (and Africa). Numerous prominent Latin American cities have taken loans from the global financial institution for this purpose, including Mexico … Continue reading Lima’s Transit Woes
Wealth Migration Pays Florida
State. It is also worth noting that you can track individual counties. For Florida, the biggest winners were a strip along the Gulf coast (from Citrus County to Collier) and most of the Atlantic coast. Of course, there are other factors at play. The elderly (who are more likely to be wealthy) have been retiring … Continue reading Wealth Migration Pays Florida
Obamacare Exchanges Limit Insurance Choices
Original post date: September 16, 2013 Article by: Anonymous 5/10/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. While Florida decided against setting up the insurance exchange that’s part of Obamacare, many states are on board with the idea. This gives the states that are sitting out of the exchange game for … Continue reading Obamacare Exchanges Limit Insurance Choices
Why Illegal Drug Money Doesn’t Promote Economic Development
Original post date: August 21, 2013 Article by: Sam Staley 5/10/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. Sandra Avila Beltran, the woman he reached the pinnacle of the Colombian-Mexican drug cartel as the "Queen of the Pacific," has been extradited back to Mexico. Her tale is a complicated one, and … Continue reading Why Illegal Drug Money Doesn’t Promote Economic Development
Will Elon Musk’s Hyperloop Doom High-Speed Rail?
Original post date: August 15, 2013 Article by: Sam Staley Elon Musk unveiled his pneumatic tube inspired Hyperloop, a “fifth mode” of transportation that he hopes will revolutionize intercity travel on Monday. His “technical paper” sketches out the engineering and technical plausibility of the concept, and the proposal seems surprisingly robust as I point out … Continue reading Will Elon Musk’s Hyperloop Doom High-Speed Rail?
Legislator Residency Called into Question
Original post date: July 30, 2013 Article by: Anonymous 5/10/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Governor Scott has assigned his top lawyer to look into claims that six state legislators do not actually reside in the districts they represent. The accusations come courtesy … Continue reading Legislator Residency Called into Question
Housing Formation in a Recession
Post date: June 27, 2013 Article by: Gary Chong-Qui In past years, a stigma seems to have followed people moving back in with their parents after college. Most undergrads think they’ll have their lives sorted out by the time graduation day comes, or at the very least have some direction for moving on. The statistics … Continue reading Housing Formation in a Recession
Public Debt: How Does Florida Stack Up?
Original post date: June 20, 2013 Article by: Anonymous 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. Over at the Tax Foundation, a recent Monday Map highlights the debt per capita of each state. The good news is that Florida ranks fairly low on the list, coming in at #40; I’ll … Continue reading Public Debt: How Does Florida Stack Up?
Yellow Light Corruption
Original post date: June 05, 2013 Article by: Anonymous In the news recently is a story that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), in conjunction with municipalities around the state, has been responsible for shortening yellow light durations below the minimum level recommended by the federal government. The story, broken by 10 News in Tampa, … Continue reading Yellow Light Corruption
Ohio Pedicab Operator Regulatory Goal? Limit Competition
Original post date: June 04, 2013 Article by: Sam Staley 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. At least pedicab operators in Columbus, Ohio are honest about what they expect out of the city's licensing process: Purging the city of competition. The city is about to adopt regulations that, among … Continue reading Ohio Pedicab Operator Regulatory Goal? Limit Competition
Some Miscellaneous Links to Kick Off the Week
Post date: June 04, 2013 Article by: Anonymous 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. ● Rick Scott and tuition hikes. ● Should Florida spend more on education? ● In case you missed it, Florida TaxWatch released its annual Turkey report. ● Peace and harmony in the Supreme Court. ● … Continue reading Some Miscellaneous Links to Kick Off the Week
Path Dependence, Entrenched Interests, and the Future of Transit
Original post date: April 09, 2013 Article by: Anonymous Path dependence: The tendency of a past or traditional practice or preference to continue even if better alternatives are available. Mortimer L. Downey has worked in New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (MATA), and was one of several presenters at a May … Continue reading Path Dependence, Entrenched Interests, and the Future of Transit
Florida Does Not Need More Corporate Welfare
Original post date: March 27, 2013 Article by: Anonymous 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. Even amongst fiscal conservatives, the argument is often made that the public funding of sports stadiums is justified because of the economic benefits they bring to their communities. According to TBO, the state senate … Continue reading Florida Does Not Need More Corporate Welfare
Do Floridians Oppose Medicaid Expansion?
Original post date: March 25, 2013 Article by: Anonymous 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. The James Madison Institute in Tallahassee published a poll inquiring about Floridians’ support of the recently endorsed Medicaid expansion. The poll revealed that 59% of respondents oppose the expansion, but these conclusions elicited some … Continue reading Do Floridians Oppose Medicaid Expansion?
Buildings Don’t Create Permanent Jobs
Original post date: March 22, 2013 Article by: Sam Staley 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer compatible have been fixed. Gaines Street is the "it" place for Tallahassee's economic redevelopment initiatives, skirting the northern edge of the southern border of the Frenchtown/Southside Community Redevelopment Area. With large new projects going up along the … Continue reading Buildings Don’t Create Permanent Jobs
The Pope, Entrepreneurship, and Human Dignity
Original post date: March 20, 2013 Article by: Sam Staley 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. The new Pope may be more sympathetic to entrepreneurship as a way to alleviate poverty than previous pontiffs. He seems to understand that individual freedom and liberty are essential to creating wealth, and … Continue reading The Pope, Entrepreneurship, and Human Dignity
Do Left-Leaning Cities Oppose New Housing?
Original post date: February 25, 2013 Article by: Anonymous Matthew E. Kahn of UCLA’s Institute of Environment concludes in a study published in the Journal of Urban Economics that cities with a majority of citizens registered in political parties with liberal tendencies—the Democratic Party, Green Party, and Peach and Freedom Party—issued fewer new housing permits … Continue reading Do Left-Leaning Cities Oppose New Housing?
Florida’s Public Pension Funding #1
Original post date: November 29, 2012 Article by: Anonymous Despite all of the controversy surrounding the soundness of Florida’s public pension programs, a report by Jagadeesh Gokhale at the Cato Institute recognizes Florida as the number one state in terms of public pension plan health. This may be surprising due to all of the scrutiny Florida’s … Continue reading Florida’s Public Pension Funding #1
Controversy Over Pension Liabilities May Leave Taxpayers in the Hole
Post date: November 13, 2012 Article by: Anonymous 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. A recent report published by the Leroy Collins Institute at Florida State University regarding Florida’s increasingly unfunded public pension plans received some controversial feedback, largely in response to the accounting methods used. Critiques of the … Continue reading Controversy Over Pension Liabilities May Leave Taxpayers in the Hole
Municipal Pension Forcing Florida Over a Fiscal Cliff
Original post date: October 05, 2012 Article by: Anonymous 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer compatible have been fixed. Florida public pension programs have become a cause for concern in recent years, and the debate just ramped up with the publication of a new report by Florida State University’s Leroy Collins Institute. Florida … Continue reading Municipal Pension Forcing Florida Over a Fiscal Cliff
For Whom the Road Rolls (Me or Thee?)
Original post date: September 05, 2012 Article by: Sam Staley A catchy little tune is making its way around the Internet, lambasting the tolls levied by the Dulles Greenway. The Greenway is a privately developed, owned, and financed extension of the Dulles Tollroad (which is publicly owned and operated). The song, “Highway Robbery,” laments the … Continue reading For Whom the Road Rolls (Me or Thee?)
Is Florida Headed for a Seller’s Market?
Original Post date: July 10, 2012 Article by: Anonymous The subtitle of a recent Miami Herald Business Monday (6/18/2012) article read: “South Florida's real estate market suffers from depressed prices and low inventory [emphasis added].” With an average decrease of 49% in real estate values from the housing peak in 2006, perhaps suffering is an … Continue reading Is Florida Headed for a Seller’s Market?