Tag: economic growth

Halloween Screams Prosperity

As consumers purchase candy, costumes, and pumpkin spice lattes, Halloween can be a time to reflect on traditions and prosperity.

The Measurement and Importance of Economic Freedom

Since the initial publication of the Economic Freedom of the World report in 1996, numerous scholarly studies have used the data to examine the impact of economic freedom on investment, economic growth, income levels, and poverty rates. Virtually without exception, these studies have found that countries with institutions and policies more consistent with economic freedom have higher investment rates, more rapid economic growth, higher income levels, and a more rapid reduction in poverty rates.

Gas Taxes Not Long-Term Answer For Infrastructure Funding

Gas taxes are politically messy and their efficacy is diminishing. It’s time for state lawmakers to shift their focus toward alternative sources of infrastructure funding such as congestion taxes, toll roads, and privatization.

How Blockchain Technology Can Improve America’s Infrastructure

This piece first appeared in Forbes. America’s infrastructure is often described as crumbling, broken-down, and out-of-date by politicians from both sides. While the reality isn’t so dire, there are obvious infrastructure issues throughout the country, such as New York’s subway, D.C.’s metro, and almost any road in Michigan. So even though the country’s infrastructure is not as bad as some suggest, we…

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City Competition and Economic Growth

But many of the things cities typically do to compete aren’t very effective. While efforts to generate urban development in America’s cities take a variety of forms, many focus on building or renovating things. City officials try to outdo one another by creating the fanciest stadium, downtown park, or convention center with the hope that such investments will spark an urban renewal. However, there is little evidence that these types of projects can turn cities around on their own.

Which Underdog Has The Best Chance Of Getting Amazon’s HQ2?

Even with incentives, these cities are longshots. Boston, Austin, and Atlanta are the early favorites according to at least one oddsmaker. Still, the fact that Columbus, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, and Miami made the top 20 over other cities such as Portland, Houston, and New Orleans is a good sign for them going forward. They may not get Amazon, but their futures are bright.

Cutting SALT Is Good For America’s Health

This piece first appeared in Forbes (November 22, 2017). Americans consume a lot of sodium, and many doctors believe it would do us good to cut back on the salt. The recent debate over federal tax reform has highlighted a different kind of salt that we should also cut: the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. Many…

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