By Caleb Taylor How high is too high? That’s the question UCA Assistant Professor of Economics and ACRE Scholar Jeremy Horpedahl considers in two recent media appearances regarding raising the minimum wage in Arkansas. Arkansans will vote on whether to continue to increase the minimum wage in Arkansas to $11 per hour in 2021. Arkansas […]
Women In Economics Travel Scholarship
By Caleb Taylor Are you a woman majoring in economics? If so, you should consider attending the Second Annual Women in Economics Symposium on Feb. 28, 2019 sponsored by and hosted at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Participants will discuss issues and opportunities in the field of economics. In addition to networking and […]
How do state licensing rules affect property crime rates?
By Caleb Taylor When occupational licensing laws make it hard for people, especially young people, to get jobs, that may lead to the “motive and opportunity” to commit property crimes. That’s the groundbreaking research result from UCA Associate Professor of Economics and ACRE Scholar Dr. Thomas Snyder and UCA graduate student Saliou N. Ouattara in […]
Stepping Back from the “Tax Cliffs”: Tax Reform Plans Take Shape for Arkansas
By Caleb Taylor Legislators took a big step towards finalizing their tax reform priorities for the 2019 session. Arkansas Tax Reform & Relief Legislative Task Force members voted August 7th to pursue a comprehensive tax reform proposal that would reduce the top personal income tax rate to 6.5 percent and consolidate its three rate schedules. […]
Sales Tax Exemption Gimmicks Mask High State Income Taxes
By Caleb Taylor Arkansas should consider ending its counterproductive tax-exemptions, and instead lower income taxes, according to ACRE Scholar and UCA Assistant Professor of Economics Dr. Jeremy Hopedahl. Horpedahl discussed the latest tax-policy news on Capitol View this Sunday with Jessi Turnure, KARK Political Correspondent. Topics included the grocery tax exemption, back-to-school sales tax holidays, […]
How Does Occupational Licensing Affect Recidivism?
By Caleb Taylor Licensing requirements may prevent ex-convicts from finding employment after leaving prison — and that may drive them back into crime. That’s what Stephen Slivinski, a senior research fellow at the Center for the Study of Economic Liberty at Arizona State University, said to UCA students on March 27th. Slivinski is the author […]
Serious about Tax Reform? — 3 Reasons You Should Focus on Cutting Income Taxes
By Caleb Taylor Arkansans would all benefit from shifting the state’s tax burden away from income taxes, ACRE Scholar and UCA Assistant Professor of Economics Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl said in a speech at a “Tax Freedom Day” event at the State Capitol on Friday, April 13th. It’s good for taxpayers, consumers, businesses, and even state […]
Tax Freedom Day — ACRE Economist to Speak about Tax Reform
By Caleb Taylor ACRE Scholar and UCA Assistant Professor of Economics Jeremy Horpedahl will speak about ACRE’s tax research at Arkansas Tax Freedom Day at 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 13th at the rotunda of the Arkansas State Capitol. According to the Tax Foundation, Tax Freedom Day in Arkansas is the date Arkansans have to work […]
Working Group “Important First Step” In Reforming Licensing
By Caleb Taylor How should Arkansas decrease barriers to jobs and entrepreneurship? Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the formation of the Red Tape Reduction Working Group on Feb. 16th to study state occupational requirements. Its next meeting is on Monday, April 23rd. In an op-ed published in Arkansas Business on March 26th, ACRE Director and UCA […]
What Path Should Arkansas Take On Economic Development?
By Caleb Taylor Is there a “more proven path” Arkansas should take for economic development? ACRE Policy Analyst Jacob Bundrick says yes in an op-ed published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on March 19th. Arkansas officials should focus on “broad, comprehensive reforms to increase economic growth” rather than targeted economic development incentives. One example of an […]