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The “Business Climate” and Economic Inequality

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  • David Neumark
  • Jennifer Muz

Abstract

"Business climate indexes" characterize state economic policies, and are often used to try to influence economic policy debate. However, they are also useful in research as summaries of a large number of state policies that cannot be studied simultaneously. Prior research found that business climate indexes focused on productivity and quality of life do not predict economic growth, while indexes emphasizing taxes and costs of doing business indicate that low-tax, low-cost states have faster growth of employment, wages, and output. In this paper, we study the relationship between these two categories of business climate indexes and the promotion of equality or inequality. We do not find that the productivity/quality-of-life indexes predict more equitable outcomes, although some of the policies underlying them suggest they might. We do find, however, that the same tax-and-cost related indexes that are associated with higher economic growth are also associated with increases in inequality.
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  • David Neumark & Jennifer Muz, 2016. "The “Business Climate” and Economic Inequality," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 62(1), pages 161-180, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revinw:v:62:y:2016:i:1:p:161-180
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    3. Chambers, Dustin & O'Reilly, Colin, 2019. "Entry Regulations and Income Inequality at the Regional Level," Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, Mid-Continent Regional Science Association, vol. 49(1), April.

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    JEL classification:

    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy

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