Economics of State and Local Government

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This text draws on research in economics, political science, and policy analysis to show why state and local public finance has assumed such an important role in domestic fiscal policy matters. Traditional topics such as the theories of taxation and intergovernmental grants are combined by Raimondo with numerous overlooked subjects to reveal the dynamic and complex nature of state-local government fiscal behaviour. Among the topics discussed are regional economic performance and state-local government finance; state and local taxes on property, sales, and personal income; user charges and gambling revenues; and the beneficiaries of local governments.

Reviews

Raimondo's book fills a gap in the literature for both academics and practitioners. The economics of state and local government has been thoroughly explored on a piecemeal or topical basis, particularly on the finance and taxation side (e.g., Local Government Finance, ed. by John E. Peterson and Dennis R. Strachota, 1991). However, there are relatively few comprehensive studies, and only one textbook (Ronald C. Fisher's State and Local Public Finance, (1988). Thus Raimondo's work is a welcome addition, reflecting extensive experience in both government and academia. Any book in this area is somewhat idiosyncratic, and this volume is no exception. The author chooses to address the regional economies and progresses from there to private markets, the role of government, and fiscal federalism. As in most books in this area, expenditures get less attention than the revenue side, but there are two good expenditure chapters. A must for students of state and local public finance at all levels; accessible to general readers as well.-Choice
"Raimondo's book fills a gap in the literature for both academics and practitioners. The economics of state and local government has been thoroughly explored on a piecemeal or topical basis, particularly on the finance and taxation side (e.g., Local Government Finance, ed. by John E. Peterson and Dennis R. Strachota, 1991). However, there are relatively few comprehensive studies, and only one textbook (Ronald C. Fisher's State and Local Public Finance, (1988). Thus Raimondo's work is a welcome addition, reflecting extensive experience in both government and academia. Any book in this area is somewhat idiosyncratic, and this volume is no exception. The author chooses to address the regional economies and progresses from there to private markets, the role of government, and fiscal federalism. As in most books in this area, expenditures get less attention than the revenue side, but there are two good expenditure chapters. A must for students of state and local public finance at all levels; accessible to general readers as well."-Choice

Author Bio

HENRY J. RAIMONDO is Associate Professor in the Eagleton Institute of Politics and the Department of Urban Planning and Policy Development at Rutgers University. He has served on the faculty of the Department of Economics at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. Professor Raimondo has written in the areas of state-local public finance, economics of sport, and economic education. His research has appeared in Growth and Change, Journal of Economic Education, Journal of Labor Research, Land Economics, Public Budgeting and Finance, and Public Finance Quarterly.