Websites
Neighborhood Effects
Neighborhood Effects is a blog about American state and local economic policy and political economy issues, focusing on a variety of issues related to federalism, tax and budget, public sector spending, infrastructure, urban life, and economic poli
Inside State & Local Policy
Inside State and Local Policy is a podcast hosted by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University focused on economics at the state and local level of government. This podcast is a resource for state policy makers, the media, and others with an interest in state issues and innovative solutions to the issues facing all states. Each brief episode features conversations with policy scholars, elected officials and other practitioners. Our goal is to bridge the gap between policy theory and policy making and provide state policy makers with scholarly analysis on the potential outcomes of legislative and regulatory reforms. This podcast is hosted by the Mercatus Center’s Director of Economic Education, James C. Musser.
Surprisingly Free
Surprisingly Free is the weekly audio podcast of the Technology Policy Program at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Hosted by senior research fellow Jerry Brito, the weekly show features in-depth discussions with an eclectic mix of authors, academics, and entrepreneurs at the intersection of technology, policy, and economics. You can listen and subscribe to the show at Surprisingly Free.
Institutions Matter: Can New Jersey Reverse Course?
In 2009, New Jersey faces the most severe fiscal and economic crisis in its history. “Institutions Matter: Can New Jersey Reverse Course?” is a comprehensive, bottom-up review of the public finances of the state of New Jersey. Years of spending growth, increasing mandates, and expanding use of intergovernmental aid and debt have inflated the size and cost of government, leading to dramatic increases in taxation at all levels. The state’s recovery hinges on reforming the rules under which its officials budget. In short, re-establishing fiscal prudence, and reducing the size and scope of government. This paper offers suggestions for reforming the state’s budget and tax systems to put New Jersey and other states similarly situated back on the path to prosperity.
Local Knowledge II
In 2005 the Mercatus Center launched a five-year project to follow the long-term redevelopment of the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. Our inquiry seeks to determine the roles that public, commercial, and non-profit sectors play in rebuilding communities affected by large scale catastrophes. This edition of Local Knowledge explores and discusses the role that the non-profit sector, volunteers, and social entrepreneurs are playing in rebuilding the Gulf Coast and what policy makers can do to help communities become more resilient to future disasters.