By ACRE Director Jeremy Horpedahl From reading groups and guest speakers, to professional development for educators and media mentions by the White House, ACRE has had another successful semester of economics, education, and policy research. We hope you’ve been able to come to one of our events on campus, or read some of our many […]
The Past, Present, and Future of Work
By Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl Are you a UCA student looking for engaging ideas, new friends, thoughtful discussions, a free weekly meal, and a $500 scholarship? Then apply now for ACRE’s economics reading group, “The Past, Present, and Future of Work.” The deadline to apply is Monday, August 12. The history of paid work and labor […]
Arkansans’ Occupational Licensing Burdens May Lighten
By Caleb Taylor Arkansas’s lower income workers face some of the heaviest licensing burdens in the country. That hurts job seekers, entrepreneurs, and consumers. These regulations also disproportionately harm military spouses, ex-offenders, minorities and immigrants. But new legislation could lead to better rules and more opportunities for Arkansans. House Bill 1527, or the Red […]
Could Arkansas’s New Minimum Wage Increase Poverty?
By Aaron Newell How is the new minimum wage increase going to affect Arkansans? After passing with 68% of the vote in November, the minimum wage will rise to $11 an hour by 2021. Some say it will provide Arkansans with a living wage. Others say it will force businesses to lay off employees. But […]
The Costs of Special Elections
By Aaron Newell On February 13th, Rep. Justin Gonzales, R-Okolona, presented House Bill 1402 in front the House State Agencies Committee, which would limit special elections to just two dates a year – either at a primary or general election, or their corresponding dates in off years. Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl was invited to testify to […]
How fit is Arkansas’s fiscal health?
By. Caleb Taylor Where do Arkansas’s finances rank nationally? Olivia Gonzalez, a research associate for the State and Local Policy Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, spoke Thursday, November 29th about Arkansas’s fiscal health and ranking in the COB Auditorium. According to the Mercatus Center’s latest state fiscal rankings, Arkansas ranks 25th […]
What Do Governments Sacrifice to Give Businesses Subsidies?
By Caleb Taylor What are the trade-offs states make when offering economic development incentives to private businesses? Prof. Nathan Jensen discussed this and more on Tuesday, November 13th in the UCA College of Business auditorium to a crowd of over 70 attendees. Jensen is a Professor in the Department of Government at the University of […]
Which Tax Credits Should Arkansas Chop?
By Caleb Taylor Arkansas Tax Reform and Relief Legislative Task Force members discussed three tax credits for possible elimination on Monday, October 29th. The three insurance premium tax credits include the New Market Tax Credit ($16 M), the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit ($1 M) and the Home Office Tax Credit ($61 M). In total, these […]
Will legalized sports betting affect state taxes?
By David Mitchell and Doug Walker Based on their recent performance, it’s tempting to bet against the Hogs. If voters approve Issue 4 in November, you will be able to place that bet in future seasons. And while the only poll conducted on Issue 4 last month showed it trailing by a few points, don’t […]
The Cost of Arkansas’s QACF
By Jacob Bundrick Since its creation in 2007, state officials have allocated more than $185.7 million to the Quick Action Closing Fund (QACF). The program, which allows the state to provide discretionary cash grants to select companies, is intended to attract and retain businesses in Arkansas. But have these millions actually increased economic activity? Research […]