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Compensation Schemes and Human Capital Attainment in Congress: Is There an Adverse Selection of Legislator Attributes?

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  • Franklin G. Mixon Jr.

    (University of Southern Mississippi)

  • James B. Wilkinson

    (University of Southern Mississippi)

Abstract

This study examines the role that compensation plays in the self-selection process of legislator attributes in the U.S. Congress. The statistical results from the 104th Congress suggest that human capital levels of senators are significantly different from those of representatives, and this result is likely due to adverse selection because of the disparity in compensation schemes across the two chambers of the Congress. Such a result has potentially significant consequences given the constitutional provisions that place taxation authority in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the fact that House members sponsor vastly larger amounts of spending legislation (and total legislation) than senators. Although much future work is needed to be done, this study lays a foundation for public choice scholars to ponder.

Suggested Citation

  • Franklin G. Mixon Jr. & James B. Wilkinson, 1999. "Compensation Schemes and Human Capital Attainment in Congress: Is There an Adverse Selection of Legislator Attributes?," Public Finance Review, , vol. 27(4), pages 418-433, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:pubfin:v:27:y:1999:i:4:p:418-433
    DOI: 10.1177/109114219902700404
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Franklin G. Mixon & Amanda C. Pagels, 2007. "Are Congressional Black Caucus Members More Reliable? Loyalty Screening and Committee Assignments of Newly Elected Legislators," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 66(2), pages 413-431, April.
    2. Richard Cebula & Franklin Mixon & Mark Montez, 2015. "Teachers’ salaries and human capital, and their effects on academic performance: an institution-level analysis of Los Angeles County high schools," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 39(2), pages 347-356, April.
    3. Franklin G. Mixon Jr & Sean P. Salter, 2008. "Legislative Pay and Legislator Quality," LABOUR, CEIS, vol. 22(4), pages 679-695, December.

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