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Flying Blind on Job Creation Policies? A Case Study of California

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  • David Neumark
  • Emma Wohl

Abstract

Are state job creation policies evidence-based? The authors present a case study of California's extensive set of job creation policies. The authors identify tax credits, grants, loans, entrepreneur training and assistance, and worker training and assistance policies, and estimate their costs. They synthesize what evidence there is on policy effectiveness. There is good evidence for a small number of state job creation policies, sometimes pointing to success in creating or retaining jobs. But for many state policies there is no evidence on effectiveness, or the evidence does not establish that the policy works.

Suggested Citation

  • David Neumark & Emma Wohl, 2024. "Flying Blind on Job Creation Policies? A Case Study of California," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 38(3), pages 141-163, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecdequ:v:38:y:2024:i:3:p:141-163
    DOI: 10.1177/08912424241254797
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Freedman, Matthew & Khanna, Shantanu & Neumark, David, 2023. "Combining rules and discretion in economic development policy: Evidence on the impacts of the California Competes Tax Credit," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
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