Author Archives: timbartik

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About timbartik

Tim Bartik is a senior economist at the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, a non-profit and non-partisan research organization in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His research specializes in state and local economic development policies and local labor markets.

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

State fiscal problems and early childhood programs

Posted on February 16, 2011 by timbartik

Many states face significant fiscal problems over the next several years. These fiscal problems will lead to attempts to cut back on early childhood programs.  How should advocates for early childhood programs respond to these threatened cutbacks? I will address … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs | 4 Comments

Is the federal budget for early childhood programs half-full or half-empty?

Posted on February 15, 2011 by timbartik

Lisa Guernsey of Early Ed Watch has an informative post outlining President Obama’s fiscal year 2012 budget request for early childhood programs. Even though the President did not mention early childhood programs in his State of the Union address, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs | Comments Off on Is the federal budget for early childhood programs half-full or half-empty?

The national perspective towards early childhood programs

Posted on February 15, 2011 by timbartik

In this series of posts, I am exploring how the economic development benefits of business incentives and early childhood programs vary when considered from a national perspective, compared to a state or local perspective. This topic is explored in depth … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs, National vs. state vs. local | Comments Off on The national perspective towards early childhood programs

Interview on website of Michigan’s Early Childhood Investment Corporation

Posted on February 14, 2011 by timbartik

A recent interview with me, by Teri Banas of the Michigan Early Childhood Investment Corporation, is now up at their website.  I appreciate the opportunity to bring my work to their audience.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Interview on website of Michigan’s Early Childhood Investment Corporation