Does Biden’s $1.9 trillion pandemic relief package do enough to get Americans through the pandemic? Public finance fellow Jorge Barro answers critical questions about the stimulus measure. Continue Reading
As the Budget Control Act nears expiry, it is important to reflect on its effectiveness — does the BCA provide a framework for curtailing unsustainable deficits and moving to a sustainable fiscal policy? Continue Reading
Driven by pandemic-related concerns, more and more American consumers are shifting away from cash toward digital payment transactions. This reflects our developing society, and we should address the underlying challenges that exclude some communities from being part of this progress. Continue Reading
It is important in this time to take stock of the changes that the economy will face, both as a whole and within the banking industry, and how Dodd-Frank and its liquidity measures may have to be altered to best stabilize the sector. However, these changes must be made with the post-COVID economy in mind, not one of never-ending stimulus and stay-at-home orders. Continue Reading
California’s tax voucher program — which would allow Californians to pay state taxes ahead of time in exchange for a voucher that can be used to pay income tax obligations in future years — is an intriguing thought experiment. If implemented, it will be an interesting case study for other states to observe and learn from California’s experience. Continue Reading
In late July, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar delivered a bleak economic outlook for the state’s economy: the amount of general revenue funds available for the current biennium is expected to be $11.5 billion less than originally estimated. Should the state tap into its rainy day fund to offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and facilitate a stable recovery? Continue Reading
This blog post reviews the recent developments of one approach states have been exploring to secure additional revenue during the Covid-19 pandemic — imposing excise taxes on sports betting and on a closely related activity, daily fantasy sports (DFS). Continue Reading