Type of Credit: Elective
Credit(s)
Number of Students
Local governments are facing increasingly challenging and complex issues such as economic uncertainty, public health management, and civil unrest. Successful leadership and policy planning thus require a competent understanding of local public finance and keen perspectives on important policy issues at the local level.
In this course, we will assess the roles of state and local governments in providing public goods, their revenue and expenditure choices, and the equity and efficiency implications of these choices. In addition to developing theoretical perspectives in analyzing state and local public finance, we will also discuss the empirical tools commonly used in the literature.
能力項目說明
In this course, we will cover the key topics and theoretical frameworks in local public finance. Students will be introduced to important theories and empirical studies in the literature and develop an understanding of the modern challenges faced by state and local governments.
Students will also acquire experience and knowledge in data sources and tools that are commonly used to describe and analyze local public policies. They will be encouraged to seek additional sources of information and explore pertinent research topics such as school funding, health care, economic development, environmental protection, and other important issues of local governance.
The main subjects to be covered in this course include the following items:
| 教學週次Course Week | 彈性補充教學週次Flexible Supplemental Instruction Week | 彈性補充教學類別Flexible Supplemental Instruction Type |
|---|---|---|
We plan to cover the following topics in the listed order, but the teaching schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the class.
|
Week |
Topics |
|
1 |
Motivation and Introduction to Local Public Finance |
|
2 |
Role of State and Local Governments in the Economy |
|
3 |
Demand for Local Public Goods |
|
4 |
Public Choice withou Mobility |
|
5 |
Public Choice through Mobility |
|
6 |
Fiscal Fedralism: Organization of Subnational Government |
|
7 |
Supply of State and Local Goods and Services |
|
8 |
Pricing of Government Goods: User Charges |
|
9 |
Intergovernmental Grants |
|
10 |
Capital Investment, Borrowing, and Debt |
|
11 |
Principles of Tax Analysis |
|
12 |
Property Tax |
|
13 |
Local Taxes and Revenue from Government Monopoly and Regulation |
|
14 |
Policy Analysis I |
|
15 |
Policy Analysis II |
|
16 |
Presentation on Current Topics in State and Local Public Finance |
Assigned readings will form the basis for class discussions. Problem sets will be distributed periodically, allowing students to practice using data and analytical tools to address local policy issues. By the end of the semester, students will complete a group project, which includes an oral presentation and a written report. Each group will choose a topic of interest and apply relevant data, a theoretical framework, and empirical analysis to explore local fiscal and expenditure policies.
Guidline for the Use of AI Tools