Monthly Archives: February 2011

Finding my blog

Posted on February 28, 2011 by timbartik

For some reason, Google’s search algorithm no longer seems to find this blog very easily. I suspect this has something to do with the recent change in their search algorithm. My best guess is that for some reason, Google has … Continue reading →

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Federal policy towards business incentives

Posted on February 28, 2011 by timbartik

Several posts have identified some problems with business incentives’ national benefits.  Business tax incentives in average- growth or fast-growth local areas are likely to have national benefits that are less than costs. On the other hand, business tax incentives in … Continue reading →

Posted in Business incentives, National vs. state vs. local | 1 Comment

Kalamazoo event highlights the potential of business support for investing in kids

Posted on February 25, 2011 by timbartik

On Thursday, February 24, I spoke at an event in Kalamazoo about my book Investing in Kids. This “book signing” event was cosponsored by the Kalamazoo community group ISAAC, the Greater Kalamazoo United Way, and the Kalamazoo Great Start Collaborative. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs | Comments Off on Kalamazoo event highlights the potential of business support for investing in kids

Responding to state budget concerns

Posted on February 24, 2011 by timbartik

As outlined in a previous post, many states are facing budget shortfalls for fiscal year 2012 (the fiscal year which starts July 1, 2011 in most states, and runs until June 30, 2012). In another post, I pointed out that … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood program design issues, Early childhood programs | Comments Off on Responding to state budget concerns

Across-the-board business tax cuts vs. business incentives

Posted on February 23, 2011 by timbartik

In Investing in Kids, I calculate that high-quality business incentives can pay off for state economic development. For each dollar a state invests in high-quality business incentives, the present value of the earnings per capita of state residents increases by … Continue reading →

Posted in Business incentives, Incentive design issues | 1 Comment

Are business tax incentives a zero sum game regardless of which local areas offer such incentives?

Posted on February 22, 2011 by timbartik

I argued in a previous post that the national benefits of business tax incentives were less than 20% of the state benefits of business tax incentives. But is this true regardless of which local area is offering these tax incentives? … Continue reading →

Posted in Business incentives, National vs. state vs. local | 2 Comments

Can states afford now to invest in early childhood programs?

Posted on February 21, 2011 by timbartik

In a previous post, I argued that even with states facing short-term and long-term budget issues, states could choose to invest more in early childhood programs. What is the evidence for this argument? Even in state budget crises, states are … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs | 4 Comments

Early childhood programs and state budget cuts: now is a good time to invest

Posted on February 18, 2011 by timbartik

As detailed in a previous post, states are facing significant additional budget problems this year. These budget problems may lead to pressure to cut early childhood programs. I don’t think there’s any need for states to cut high-quality early childhood … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs, Economic development | 1 Comment

Do all business incentives have the same national benefits?

Posted on February 17, 2011 by timbartik

I argued in a previous post that business tax incentives did not have large national benefits because such incentives did nothing directly to raise the economy’s productivity. But some business incentives do seek to directly raise business productivity. Can such … Continue reading →

Posted in Business incentives, Incentive design issues, National vs. state vs. local | 2 Comments

Ed Glaeser’s Triumph of the City book

Posted on February 16, 2011 by timbartik

I have been reading Ed Glaeser’s new book, Triumph of the City, and enjoying it tremendously. Ed Glaeser is a Harvard professor, and is arguably the leading American urban economist. One issue on which most urban economists agree is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs, Economic development, Timing of benefits | Comments Off on Ed Glaeser’s Triumph of the City book