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The Long and Winding Road to Local Fiscal Equity in the United States: A Fifty-Year Retrospective

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  • Martinez-Vazquez Jorge

    (Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA)

  • Timofeev Andrey

    (Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA)

Abstract

Unlike many other countries, the United States does not have a comprehensive federal transfer scheme for explicit fiscal equalization but rather employs an array of categorical and block grants, some of which are formula-based while others are project-driven. However, the allocation of many of these grants has equalization effects resulting in the narrowing of fiscal disparities among jurisdictions. Few studies have attempted to quantify the extent of equalization achieved with federal and state grants in a manner that would allow comparisons across states and over time. In this study, we set out to measure the extent of equalization across local governments in the United States that is implicit in the federal grants system and more explicit in the grants implemented by the individual states. Rather than focusing on specific types of local services, we look at the evolution of per capita resources available to all types of local governments combined.

Suggested Citation

  • Martinez-Vazquez Jorge & Timofeev Andrey, 2022. "The Long and Winding Road to Local Fiscal Equity in the United States: A Fifty-Year Retrospective," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 242(5-6), pages 569-608, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:jns:jbstat:v:242:y:2022:i:5-6:p:569-608:n:6
    DOI: 10.1515/jbnst-2021-0038
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martinez-Vazquez, Jorge & Timofeev, Andrey, 2008. "Regional-local dimension of Russia's fiscal equalization," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 157-176, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Agrawal David R. & Foremny Dirk, 2022. "Redistribution In A Globalized World," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 242(5-6), pages 551-567, December.
    2. Howard Chernick & Andrew Reschovsky, 2023. "Measuring the Fiscal Health of U.S. Cities," IMFG Papers 63, University of Toronto, Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    United States; fiscal disparities; intergovernmental grants; local government;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H73 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Interjurisdictional Differentials and Their Effects
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism

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