By: Elizabeth Miller George Sheetz wanted to build a small fabricated home, an alternative to the high housing prices he would face if he built from scratch on his lot in El Dorado County, California. However, the county where he resided charged a $23,420 traffic impact fee as a condition for granting the building permit. … Continue reading Supreme Court Case Sets a New Precedent for Impact Fees: Why Florida Should be on the Lookout
The Institute for Justice’s Clean Cut Study Reinforces Previous DMC Research
By: Michaela Galligan The Institute for Justice, a non-profit public interest law firm operating in the United States, published Clean Cut: How Clipping Unnecessary Licensing Can Grow Opportunities for Barbers and Manicurists and Keep Customers Safe last year. It focuses on state-regulated mandates on licensing for those working in the hairstyling and nail health industry … Continue reading The Institute for Justice’s Clean Cut Study Reinforces Previous DMC Research
Driving Away Third Places
By: Isla Riddell The world population is higher than it has ever been, yet we are in the midst of a loneliness epidemic. From 2003 to 2020, social isolation saw an increase of 24 hours a month, with social participation decreasing. People are spending more time alone and less time with others. The COVID-19 pandemic … Continue reading Driving Away Third Places
Dentistry Shortage in Florida
Originally published by Red Tape Florida. This is an edited version. By: Gabriel Carraro de Andrade The United States is experiencing a labor shortage across various sectors, with education and healthcare being hit the hardest. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the shortage. With a shift towards remote work, many younger individuals are less inclined to … Continue reading Dentistry Shortage in Florida
Florida State University expert available to break down latest housing market trends
Originally published by Florida State University News By: Stephen Stone The U.S. housing market just hit another record. Median home prices in June climbed to $435,300, the highest ever, while existing home sales dipped again. What’s driving the trend? And is there any relief ahead? Florida State housing policy expert Sam Staley says this affordability … Continue reading Florida State University expert available to break down latest housing market trends
Fostering Innovation and Technology Can Put Florida in Lead for Combatting Space Debris
By: Max Blumenfeld and Zachary Asarnow Almost three-fourths of the almost $400 billion generated annually by space-related industries is within the commercial satellite industry alone. These satellites are crucial for television, banking, communication, and navigation, and the industry is expected to grow $1.8 trillion by 2035. Satellites, however, largely operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), … Continue reading Fostering Innovation and Technology Can Put Florida in Lead for Combatting Space Debris
Teacher Shortages: How are Housing Prices and Salary Influencing Educators?
By: Isabel Gregersen Teacher retention rates and the number of young people going into the education field are low in many parts of the United States. Florida K-12 schools, however, are especially struggling to keep teachers and hire new ones. Departing teachers sometimes leave because they are unsatisfied with the curriculum. Others may be retiring. … Continue reading Teacher Shortages: How are Housing Prices and Salary Influencing Educators?
Economic Growth from the Proliferation of the Private Space Industry in Florida
“Exploration is wired into our brains. If we can see the horizon, we want to know what’s beyond.” – Buzz Aldrin, Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon By: Dominick Purpura and Max Blumenfeld Florida stands as the premier gateway to space exploration in the United States, home to the highest number of … Continue reading Economic Growth from the Proliferation of the Private Space Industry in Florida
Alumni Spotlight: Amber Hedquist at Arizona State University
By: Chloe Offutt Amber Hedquist is a fourth-year PhD student at Arizona State University (ASU) specializing in professional writing and technical communication. She has an academic and professional interest in collaborative research relationships, specifically in three contexts: researcher-researcher, researcher-institution, and researcher-community. Across these collaborative relationships, she is interested in the roles of technology, ethics, and … Continue reading Alumni Spotlight: Amber Hedquist at Arizona State University
Dr. Staley’s Op-Ed on the Neighborhood Frat House Problem in The Tallahassee Democrat
By: Jamie Soto Dr. Samuel R. Staley is Director of the DeVoe L. Moore Center and full-time faculty of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. He teaches in the departments of economics and urban planning, with academic specialties in regulation, economic development, housing and land, growth management, transportation, and urban policy. He also is … Continue reading Dr. Staley’s Op-Ed on the Neighborhood Frat House Problem in The Tallahassee Democrat
Live Local Act Bans Rent Control: How Could It Help Housing Affordability?
Banning rent control may increase the housing supply and make housing more affordable. By: Elizabeth Miller In 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Live Local Act into law, marking the largest affordable housing investment effort in Florida’s history. In addition to this significant investment, the Act made a crucial change to Florida’s local government housing … Continue reading Live Local Act Bans Rent Control: How Could It Help Housing Affordability?
Florida Risks Losing its Competitive Edge in the Private Space Industry
By: Max A. Blumenfeld Private firms in the U.S. space industry operate at historically unmatched speeds and efficiency. SpaceX, founded in 2008 by Elon Musk, has successfully sent over 4,200 satellites to space. Today, SpaceX owns over one third of all satellites currently in orbit. With the economic value of the space economy expected to … Continue reading Florida Risks Losing its Competitive Edge in the Private Space Industry
Alumni Spotlight: Data Scientist Austin Eovito Tackles AI at the DMC
By: Sarah Grace Hutchinson On September 22nd, 2023, the DMC welcomed Austin Eovito, a DMC alum, to host a discussion on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Eovito works for the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) as a Data Scientist, specifically working for IBM’s Data and Artificial Intelligence Business Unit. Eovito hosted a casual discussion and Q&A about … Continue reading Alumni Spotlight: Data Scientist Austin Eovito Tackles AI at the DMC
School Choice and Charter Schools: Are Florida Children Prepared for their Futures?
By: Ethan Forberg Florida parents and students now have more control over where they want to attend school. The March 2023 signing of House Bill 1 (HB-1) means more families have access to school vouchers and fewer families will be constrained to traditional school district boundaries. Specifically, HB-1 eliminated the income requirements for school vouchers, … Continue reading School Choice and Charter Schools: Are Florida Children Prepared for their Futures?
Charter Schools Outperform Traditional Public Schools in STEM Subjects
By: Lauren Winslow The availability of school options in a given location significantly influences home purchases. In 2021, approximately 13% of all homebuyers in Florida reported that the quality of the school district was a factor in choosing the location of their future home. The passing of House Bill 1 (HB-1) expanded school choice to … Continue reading Charter Schools Outperform Traditional Public Schools in STEM Subjects
Building Up or Out? The Paradox of a Maximum Height Ordinance in Tallahassee’s CollegeTown
By: Chloe Kauffman CollegeTown is a popular, high-traffic neighborhood for college students in the Tallahassee area, with its growth spurred by a greater demand for students to live closer to the main campuses of Florida State University and Florida A&M University. CollegeTown is a revitalized warehouse district. Located next to a major railroad corridor, merchants would … Continue reading Building Up or Out? The Paradox of a Maximum Height Ordinance in Tallahassee’s CollegeTown
The Lack of Nuisance Laws in South Florida Sugarcane Farming
By: Mae Baltz In 2021, the United States produced over 33 million tons of sugarcane, with a majority of the crop harvested in the fields of Belle Glade, Florida. The city has a median household income of $28,028, with the sugar industry as one of its largest employers. As such, many of the Glade’s citizens … Continue reading The Lack of Nuisance Laws in South Florida Sugarcane Farming
![[Stern-Wheeler Arriving at Silver Springs, Florida, after an Overnight Run up the St. Johns, Oklawaha, & Silver Rivers]](https://i0.wp.com/devoelmooreinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/DT1649.jpg?fit=1080%2C879&ssl=1)
Protecting North Florida’s Springs
By Jad Kabbani North Florida's springs are highly valued environmental resources, known for their water quality and recreational appeal. The region, along with Central Florida, is home to the densest concentration of freshwater springs in the world. Consequentially, North Florida's economy heavily depends on this abundant natural resource as visitors and locals take advantage of … Continue reading Protecting North Florida’s Springs
How Does Political Ideology Affect Self-Expression on College Campuses?
By Eli Mckown-Dawson In recent years, “cancel culture” and free speech have become increasingly contested topics of debate on college campuses. Multiple states, including Florida, have passed or considered measures to alter or monitor the tone of public discourse on college campuses. Universities and private polling firms have conducted numerous public opinion surveys of undergraduate … Continue reading How Does Political Ideology Affect Self-Expression on College Campuses?
A Close Look at Pedestrian Traffic in the Gaines Street Corridor
By Samantha Murray Tallahassee’s CollegeTown area may be one of the most vibrant places in the city with its popular restaurants and rising art scene. Yet, its road infrastructure has not kept pace with development. In order to sustainably support potential economic growth, future urban development should prioritize increasing walkability in the CollegeTown urban space. … Continue reading A Close Look at Pedestrian Traffic in the Gaines Street Corridor
Does Digital Learning Level the Economic Playing Field for Marginalized Groups?
By Andje Louis The internet and related technologies–smartphones, computers, search engines, social media platforms–have become ingrained tools in everyday life. As more services and resources are made available online, digital inequality has come to mirror income and healthcare gaps among the world’s more marginalized populations, such as low-income and underrepresented groups. While most people use … Continue reading Does Digital Learning Level the Economic Playing Field for Marginalized Groups?
The Appeal of CollegeTown’s Amenities Over The Years
By Ava Jowers What was once several city blocks of warehouses and empty lots is now one of the most popular destinations for college students and young professionals in Tallahassee. The story of how this older section of the city transitioned into a premier urban location is complex but instructive for understanding contemporary urban redevelopment. … Continue reading The Appeal of CollegeTown’s Amenities Over The Years
DeSantis undermining individual freedom, conservative principles | Opinion
By Shawntia Nicholson The COVID-19 pandemic has placed policymakers in a tricky position, Gov. DeSantis included. He and others are forced to find a balance between protecting public health and safeguarding individual freedom. One of Gov. DeSantis’ signature initiatives is a ban on agencies and businesses that might want to impose a universal mask requirement … Continue reading DeSantis undermining individual freedom, conservative principles | Opinion
Cuba’s Health Care Fiasco Demonstrates Failure to Embrace Markets
By Kevin D. Gomez In the one area Cuba has the wherewithal to come out on top, it has failed. Cuba’s socialism is no healthcare unicorn. Instead, we have a raging bull rearing its ugly head. The island nation’s leaders know it and are cracking down with predictable force. In response to the #SOSCuba protests, … Continue reading Cuba’s Health Care Fiasco Demonstrates Failure to Embrace Markets
DMC Researchers Presenting at FSU’s Undergraduate Research Symposium: April 1, 2021
Our public policy researchers are working tirelessly this semester -- and Florida State University is recognizing their success. In a record-breaking year, FIVE DMC researchers will be presenting at FSU's annual Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS). The symposium will run virtually from 12:00PM to 4:00PM on April 1st, 2021. You can register to attend the event, … Continue reading DMC Researchers Presenting at FSU’s Undergraduate Research Symposium: April 1, 2021
Panelists: Symposium on Filmmaking, Education, and Public Policy (2/9/2021)
On FEBRUARY 9TH, 2021, the DeVoe L. Moore Center at Florida State University will host its annual symposium on Filmmaking and Public Policy with a focus on education reform. The event will begin with a 2:30-3:30 panel on Filmmaking and Storytelling, followed by a screening of Miss Virginia, and concluded with a 6:30-8:00pm panel on … Continue reading Panelists: Symposium on Filmmaking, Education, and Public Policy (2/9/2021)
Our Public Policy Researchers Presenting at the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC): Abstracts
Not even a month into the new year and our DMC researchers are already scheduled to present their work! Three undergraduate researchers have been selected to present at the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC) at the end of February. This conference was created by the Florida Undergraduate Research Association (FURA) and has a state-wide reputation … Continue reading Our Public Policy Researchers Presenting at the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC): Abstracts
The K-12 Wage Gap in Florida: Economic Implications and Future Outlook
By: Jimmy Mendez K-12 teachers in the United States are tackling a long-term battle with low salary growth rates. According to the data from the Employment Policy Institute, teachers are paid lower relative to similarly situated professional workers. While the average worker’s salary in Florida has steadily increased over the last decade, the average pay … Continue reading The K-12 Wage Gap in Florida: Economic Implications and Future Outlook
Living with the Lionfish Problem: Awareness and Joint Operations
By: Joshua Durham As Florida looks inward to address ecological concerns, the lionfish invasion continues to plague coastal citizens and marine fauna. The problem has hampered both fishermen and ecological researchers in the Gulf Coast, effectively choking growth and stability on local reefs. With a growing population in the Gulf, the situation necessitates significant actions: … Continue reading Living with the Lionfish Problem: Awareness and Joint Operations
Removing the Lionfish Problem: A Private Market Guide
By: Joshua Durham When considering Florida’s ecology, the influence of devoted citizens in the private sector is imperative. A perfect example of this drive can be found in the growing trend of invasive lionfish hunting. Hunting these fish is critical because of their destructive presence in non-native waters, an issue explored in Part 1 of … Continue reading Removing the Lionfish Problem: A Private Market Guide
Lionfish Epidemic and Its Repercussions for Florida
By: Joshua Durham Over the past thirty years, an invasive species colloquially known as the lionfish has infested coasts across the Gulf of Mexico. Originally native to the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific region, several varieties of this species now populate the coastal waters of Florida and the Caribbean. Though still under review, evidence points to … Continue reading Lionfish Epidemic and Its Repercussions for Florida
Data Science and the Humanities: A Mutually Beneficial Relationship
By: Angel Purganan A popular misconception is that entering a STEM field requires a technical or scientific degree. However, the varying academic backgrounds in today’s tech industry reveal a different reality. LinkedIn data indicates that liberal arts majors entering the technology industry outpaced computer science and engineering majors by 10%. The presence of non-STEM majors … Continue reading Data Science and the Humanities: A Mutually Beneficial Relationship
DMC Webinar Series: Pandemic, Racial Upheaval, and Polarized Politics: Has 2020 Changed Independent Filmmaking?
Succeeding in the world of independent film is always challenging, but 2020 saddled filmmakers with an unprecedented mix of new obstacles and burdens. In a new all-virtual program, Free Minds Film, in partnership with Florida State University's DeVoe L. Moore Center, asks a group of filmmakers what it's like to release a film in the … Continue reading DMC Webinar Series: Pandemic, Racial Upheaval, and Polarized Politics: Has 2020 Changed Independent Filmmaking?
Interview with Dr. Staley: Filmmaking and Public Policy
On June 25, 2020, DeVoe L. Moore Center director Sam Staley participated in an on-line webinar on the intersection between public policy and filmmaking. The webinar was a partnership between the center, Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy, and Southern California-based film production company Korchula Productions. Film has become an increasingly important medium for communicating … Continue reading Interview with Dr. Staley: Filmmaking and Public Policy
Free Clinic Serves Health Care Needs of Poor and Uninsured
By: Chelsea Gow At the Clearwater Free Clinic (CFC), a 58-year-old cook, William Jordan, sought care for what appeared to be a large blister on the bottom of his foot. Lacking health insurance, William put off seeing a doctor for months as his wound increased in size and severity. “I was terrified of what my … Continue reading Free Clinic Serves Health Care Needs of Poor and Uninsured
Interview with Dr. Keith Ihlanfeldt
Introduction & interview by Matthew Wykoff My name is Matthew Wykoff and I am a senior at FSU finishing my undergraduate degree in Economics. As a DMC researcher interested in Tallahassee’s local urban development, I interviewed Dr. Keith Ihlanfeldt about his recent paper, Impact of Rental Housing on Neighborhood Integration. Dr. Ihlanfeldt’s official title is … Continue reading Interview with Dr. Keith Ihlanfeldt
It’s Time for Local Governments to Comprehensively Embrace the Efficiencies of Remote Work
By: Dr. Samuel R. Staley Now that Gov. DeSantis is moving forward with plans to re-open the Florida economy, it’s time to also think about what Florida’s governments can do to harness technology and remote work to improve productivity and efficiency. While some public officials may see remote work as a temporary, emergency adjustment triggered … Continue reading It’s Time for Local Governments to Comprehensively Embrace the Efficiencies of Remote Work
America’s College Promises
By: Shayna Cohen In 2017, the annual cost of college in the United States, on average, was $22,432. Many students without independent support or in low-wage jobs struggle to afford higher education. Some college financing systems provide loan-free options, such as the Pell Grant offered by the federal government to low-income students, and scholarships offered … Continue reading America’s College Promises
Financing America’s Colleges: The Reality of Pell Grants
By: Shayna Cohen With approximately two out of every three high school graduates enrolled in university or college, higher education is an expectation for adults in the United States. By working hard in college, people hope to increase their social standing, job prospects, and earning potential. However, affording the high price tag of these aspirations … Continue reading Financing America’s Colleges: The Reality of Pell Grants
Raising Minimum Wage Would Hurt Marginalized Workers
By: Jordan Wilson On November 8, Raising Florida’s Minimum Wage Amendment received approval to appear on the 2020 ballot. The amendment, if passed, will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour in Florida by 2026. With public opinion favoring the passage of the amendment, it is time to examine the impact of the proposed … Continue reading Raising Minimum Wage Would Hurt Marginalized Workers
Supporting Low-Income College Students: The Nonprofit Approach
By: Shayna Cohen Students from low-income households often struggle affording college without external assistance. Fortunately, several programs financially assist these students, including Pell Grants, Promise Programs, and private scholarships. Support Our Scholars, a nonprofit organization based in Winter Park, Florida, is an example of a private, nonprofit organization focused on supporting low-income students. The organization’s … Continue reading Supporting Low-Income College Students: The Nonprofit Approach
FSU’s CARE Program Combat First-Generation Student Dropout Rates
By: Shayna Cohen Students in American colleges and universities that identify as first-generation, minority, and/or low-income are at a higher risk to drop-out of college. The consequences of higher drop rates include lost consumer spending and savings, increases in the national debt, and a less-educated workforce. Students who graduate from college tend to earn more … Continue reading FSU’s CARE Program Combat First-Generation Student Dropout Rates
From classroom research to policy change: Occupational licensing and criminal justice reform
The James Madison Institute released Bridging the Divide: Licensing and Recidivism, a study examining the effects of occupational licensing on the recidivism in the criminal justice system, just as the Florida legislature was scrambling to pass its highest priority items in April 2019. One of those bills, H.B. 7125, included a dramatic and far reaching de-regulation of … Continue reading From classroom research to policy change: Occupational licensing and criminal justice reform
Infrastructure critical to urban redevelopment
By Donald Sizemore College Town currently serves as the epicenter of Florida State University’s social life in Tallahassee. Yet, this vibrant mixed-use commercial and residential area--skirting the southern border of FSU, three blocks from Florida A&M University, and just a quarter mile from FSU’s football stadium--did not exist in 2010. Instead, the area was a … Continue reading Infrastructure critical to urban redevelopment
Effects of Increased Competition on School Efficiency
By Andrea Medici In addition to spurring competition between school districts, school choice policies attempt to introduce competition within school districts by changing the competitive landscape of local education markets. The introduction of private and charter schools, as well as virtual learning programs, are all attempts to incentivize public schools to be more efficient and … Continue reading Effects of Increased Competition on School Efficiency
Time to Revisit Private History of Mass Transit
By Giovanna Da Silva Tallahassee’s public bus transportation system, Starmetro, has been the subject of criticism among community members who use the buses. With a 3.0 star rating (out of five) on Google reviews, many complain about the poor quality of service, lack of cleanliness, tardiness, and limited bus routes and times. Complaints about public … Continue reading Time to Revisit Private History of Mass Transit
Crony Capitalism and the Rising Price of the EpiPen
By William Reynolds Monopolies are often the by-product of market failures that are induced through crony capitalist policies. Crony capitalist policies are pieces of legislation enacted to benefit politicians and private companies at the cost of the consumers. The ramifications of these policies on competitive markets can be far-reaching, and in certain instances have larger … Continue reading Crony Capitalism and the Rising Price of the EpiPen
Raising the Gas Tax Will Not Help Finance Public Infrastructure
By Giovanna da Silva As a part of his plan to revamp US public infrastructure, President Donald Trump recently suggested increasing the gasoline tax to 25 cents a gallon from the current rate of 18.4 cents per gallon to help fund his $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan. This isn’t a new idea, however, as proposals for … Continue reading Raising the Gas Tax Will Not Help Finance Public Infrastructure
Is the Gas Tax a Sustainable Revenue Source for Roads?
By Giovanna da Silva Millions of Americans depend on roads in their everyday lives. US roads handle 8 billion miles of traffic per day. For most of America’s contemporary history, federal, state, and local governments have maintained and funded roads. Currently, there are 4 million miles of public road in the country. Gas taxes and … Continue reading Is the Gas Tax a Sustainable Revenue Source for Roads?
Food Trucks Pave Way Toward Food Security
By Alex Krutchik Almost every day, we pass by a food truck. Whether it be on campus, a local park, or a carnival, the idea is the same: go up, order your food, pay for it, and receive what you ordered. But for six trucks across the United States and Canada, the process works in … Continue reading Food Trucks Pave Way Toward Food Security
Private Sector Can Shoulder Some of the Risk for New Road Construction
By Giovanna da Silva The 21st century has seen a substantial increase in public-private partnerships in the United States and around the world. The basic principle behind public-private partnerships, or P3s, is that government works with the private sector in order to build and finance public works projects. P3s have been increasingly encouraged by state … Continue reading Private Sector Can Shoulder Some of the Risk for New Road Construction
How Technology is Enabling a Revolution in Effective, Efficient Self-Regulation
By Maia Hass As the world becomes more technologically advanced, the online peer-to-peer sharing economy grows with it. In the last decade, digital platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway have introduced more personalized lodging options. However, the unique features associated with these platforms have raised concerns among consumers and legislators about the lack of … Continue reading How Technology is Enabling a Revolution in Effective, Efficient Self-Regulation
Entrepreneurs Create Wealth that Builds Civil Society
By Giovanna da Silva On March 4, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey led a discussion on social entrepreneurship at LibertyCon, an international pro-liberty student conference hosted annually by Students For Liberty in Washington DC. Mackey detailed his political and business journey from being the owner of a small organic food store to heading one of … Continue reading Entrepreneurs Create Wealth that Builds Civil Society
Gentrification in Frenchtown: A Nuanced Perspective
By Jordan Greer Gentrification has been contentious since British sociologist Ruth Rich coined the word in the 1960s. Rich used the term to describe the process of wealthy citizens, landlords, and developers moving into British working class neighborhoods and renovating the area. This process of redevelopment, she argued, drove up the costs of housing and … Continue reading Gentrification in Frenchtown: A Nuanced Perspective
Private Toll Roads: A Case Study of Tallahassee’s Orchard Pond Parkway
By Giovanna da Silva Florida boasts the highest number of toll roads in the country. Until last April, state and local governments owned and operated all of Florida toll roads. Tallahassee’s Orchard Pond Parkway challenged this precedent, however, opening to the general public in 2017 and becoming the first privately constructed and operated toll road … Continue reading Private Toll Roads: A Case Study of Tallahassee’s Orchard Pond Parkway
Middle Eastern Entrepreneurs Face Regulatory Hurdles
By Kristen Carpenter and Giovanna da Silva Entrepreneurship often serves as a means to achieve social change. In the Middle East, social enterprises such as Glowork foster advancement by providing the disenfranchised with empowerment and professional development opportunities. Many entrepreneurs and employment seekers in the area, however, face regulatory hurdles to starting their own business. … Continue reading Middle Eastern Entrepreneurs Face Regulatory Hurdles
Bethel Church Vital to Frenchtown Community Redevelopment
By N'namdi Green Today, faith-based organizations continue to influence communities beyond the religious realm. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Tallahassee is a prime example of a faith-based organization inserting itself into non-conventional fields. Bethel has been at the forefront of economic development within the Frenchtown community in Tallahassee for almost 30 years. This includes past … Continue reading Bethel Church Vital to Frenchtown Community Redevelopment
Regulations Hinder Growth of Florida’s Solar Energy Sector
By Sam Stadtlander and Giovanna da Silva In 1883, Charles Fritts created the first solar cell and established the path towards developing renewable solar energy. Since then, the 20th and 21st centuries have seen increased demand for technological innovation in the solar sector as an alternative to natural gas and other conventional energy sources. Due to … Continue reading Regulations Hinder Growth of Florida’s Solar Energy Sector
Entrepreneur Develops Technology to Monitor Police Interactions
By Leesa Newbon and Giovanna da Silva Transparency and government accountability are considered essential components to maintaining a healthy democracy and reducing corruption. With the rise of technological advancements in the digital media era, entrepreneurs can facilitate demands for transparency by developing online programs and apps that allow citizens to monitor government institutions and agencies. … Continue reading Entrepreneur Develops Technology to Monitor Police Interactions
Hurricane Response Efforts are Most Effective When Decentralized
By Chad Thomas According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), emergency responses to hurricanes aim to prevent further loss of life and property damage. Effective emergency responses utilize local information and enable decentralized responses from within the disaster zone. Local information about necessary relief in affected areas aids response efforts. A decentralized response enables … Continue reading Hurricane Response Efforts are Most Effective When Decentralized
A Brief History of Frenchtown
By Jordan Greer With Frenchtown development becoming one of the spotlight issues in the city of Tallahassee's future economic redevelopment plans, a look at the social and economic context for this marginalized area of the city might be useful. On July 4th 1825, the federal government granted $200,000 worth of northern Florida territory to Marquis … Continue reading A Brief History of Frenchtown
Challenges to Privatizing Flood Insurance
Giovanna Dasilva The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), implemented in 1968 to address a market failure in the flood insurance sector, has been the subject of scrutiny following hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Increasing the scope of the private sector has often been cited as a potential solution to the NFIP’s pitfalls. However, there are challenges … Continue reading Challenges to Privatizing Flood Insurance
Bethel Church: Visions of a Frenchtown Renaissance
N'namdi Green Since its official inception in 1870, Bethel Missionary Church has been a staple within the greater downtown area of Tallahassee. Throughout the years, Bethel Church has created and maintained a strong presence in the Frenchtown area by serving not only as a religious hub, but also as an epicenter for social engagement within … Continue reading Bethel Church: Visions of a Frenchtown Renaissance
After this Hurricane Season, We Need to Rethink Flood Insurance
Giovanna Dasilva With the national spotlight on flooding caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has come under scrutiny. The federal program primarily focuses on offering flood insurance coverage and reducing the impact of flood damage. The NFIP was established in 1968 to counteract a market failure on the … Continue reading After this Hurricane Season, We Need to Rethink Flood Insurance
Government Consolidation Rarely Lives Up to Promises
By Matt Kelly Government consolidation is an often-touted solution to economic and social problems in American cities. Several initiatives to combine local governments have resulted in conjoined regional governments, including Indianapolis-Marion County (IN), Athens-Clarke County (GA), and Jacksonville-Duval County (FL). Tallahassee and Leon County have seen six campaigns for consolidation over 50 years, all of … Continue reading Government Consolidation Rarely Lives Up to Promises
Property Tax Appeal Process Benefits Wealthy, Non-minority Homeowners
Property taxes in Florida are based on annual assessments of property values made by county officials. Homeowners in Florida can challenge assessments that they believe overvalue their property and inflate their tax bill. Informally, the homeowner may meet with the assessor to negotiate for a reduced assessment. The homeowner may also petition for a formal … Continue reading Property Tax Appeal Process Benefits Wealthy, Non-minority Homeowners
Some Regulations Hinder Storm Recovery
By Chad Thomas and Matt Kelly One common policy response to hurricanes is to strengthen building codes. Former FEMA chairman Craig Fugate blames inadequate state and local building codes, rather than inept federal government disaster relief efforts, for the woeful response to Hurricane Katrina. After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, building code enforcement was enhanced in … Continue reading Some Regulations Hinder Storm Recovery
Economic Freedom Key to Cities’ Success
By Matt Kelly Economic freedom is the unrestricted ability of people in a country to associate and transact with one another. Measuring economic freedom has become a growing area of academic research. Probably the best known measure is the index constructed for the “Economic Freedom of the World” annual report on 159 countries published by … Continue reading Economic Freedom Key to Cities’ Success
Beyond Recidivism: Addressing Behavioral Change within American Prisons
By Stephany Bittar Two-thirds of the 2.3 million Americans that are currently housed in the U.S. state and federal prison systems are expected to reoffend within three years of their release. Recidivism, or the tendency of a criminal to reoffend, is one of the most prevalent social problems facing current and former prisoners. High recidivism … Continue reading Beyond Recidivism: Addressing Behavioral Change within American Prisons
Tallahassee’s Local Permitting Process Reviewed
By Benjamin Peterson, Colin Cook, and Scott Williams One of the core issues of the DeVoe Moore Center (DMC) is regulatory streamlining and reform. Previous reports on local permitting have considered particular development types, including shopping centers and telecommunications towers. The DMC’s Data Analytics Group continues to examine the permitting process and most recently began … Continue reading Tallahassee’s Local Permitting Process Reviewed
Study Explores Local Government Response to Recessions
Recessions can be trying times for city and county governments. They typically experience a fall in revenue from two primary sources: 1) a shrinking property tax base because of falling property values and 2) lower intergovernmental transfers—grants and other payments received from the state and federal governments—because of cutbacks made at these higher levels of … Continue reading Study Explores Local Government Response to Recessions
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Still Vulnerable to Underfunding
By Chad Thomas Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens) is a state-run insurer of last resort for commercial and residential property owners unable to afford a policy in the private market. Citizens tends to insure wealthy homeowners along the coast, where property values and the risk of damage are highest. In 2002, the Florida Windstorm … Continue reading Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Still Vulnerable to Underfunding
Defunding Florida’s Film Industry Incentives was Example of Evidence-Based Policy
By Marisa Lupica and Matt Kelly States have been competing fiercely for movie productions with tax incentives since the early 2000s. Such incentives include cash grants, income tax credits, sales tax rebates, or payroll tax credits. Today, 37 states offer tax incentives for film productions. However, recent economic research shows that film tax incentives fail … Continue reading Defunding Florida’s Film Industry Incentives was Example of Evidence-Based Policy
Regulators Adapt to the Sharing Economy
By Matt Kelly The so-called “sharing economy” has revolutionized the way people travel, lodge, eat, and work through companies such as Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, and OpenTable. Buyers and sellers are increasingly transacting on online platforms that use a mix of demand pricing, reputation mechanisms, and computer algorithms to match users. This innovation represents a dramatic challenge … Continue reading Regulators Adapt to the Sharing Economy
New Study Explores Crony Capitalism in Florida
A new study published by The James Madison Institute by DeVoe L. Moore Center Policy Analyst Matthew Kelly and Center Director Samuel Staley explores two examples of crony capitalism in Florida's government policy: sports stadium subsidies and film tax incentives. The authors urge Floridians to remain vigilant over the spending of their tax dollars by government … Continue reading New Study Explores Crony Capitalism in Florida
Preparing Florida’s Government Policy for The Next Big Hurricane
by Chad Thomas Political and economic conditions in New Orleans before 2005 left the city unprepared for Hurricane Katrina. The government bureaucracies responsible for levee maintenance were mismanaged and corrupt officials diverted needed funds. Weak economic performance before Katrina also set up affected areas for slow recovery afterward. New Orleans’ experience shows how government can … Continue reading Preparing Florida’s Government Policy for The Next Big Hurricane
Monopolistic Licensing Board Taken to Court, Others Could Follow
By Matt Kelly In 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that North Carolina’s State Board of Dental Examiners, which administers the state’s occupational licensing regulations, violated federal antitrust law. Occupational licensing has been growing for decades, both in terms of the number of regulated industries and the costs to those seeking licenses. However, the North … Continue reading Monopolistic Licensing Board Taken to Court, Others Could Follow
New Overtime Rules Blocked For Now, But Uncertainty Weighs on Businesses
By Matt Kelly CLOCK IN TIME: 6:10pm Work in the United States may be about to change. The Department of Labor (DOL) has updated overtime rules relating to the Fair Labor Standards Act, and some changes could have a big impact on businesses’ labor costs. The rules were set to take effect on December 1, … Continue reading New Overtime Rules Blocked For Now, But Uncertainty Weighs on Businesses
New Study Examines Spillover Effects of Real Estate Owned Properties
Since the housing market collapse, banks have repossessed large numbers of homes. These REO or real estate owned properties are often vacant and rundown and can lower the values of nearby residences. While research confirms this spillover effect of REOs on other properties, few studies have evaluated its relative magnitude in different neighborhoods. DeVoe Moore … Continue reading New Study Examines Spillover Effects of Real Estate Owned Properties
Local Government Revenue Indicates Sluggish Recovery for Florida’s Businesses
By Benjamin Petersen and Matthew Laird Revenue collected by Florida’s local governments has grown dramatically in the last few decades, raising the importance that Floridians have an accurate understanding of how our governments raise and spend taxdollars. Revenue collected by local governments from permits, fees, and licenses is of particular importance for Florida’s business and … Continue reading Local Government Revenue Indicates Sluggish Recovery for Florida’s Businesses
Despite Problems, Florida’s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund is Best Performing Incentive
By Marisa Lupica The Qualified Target Industry (QTI) tax refund is offered to attract high wage jobs in target industries to Florida. The program is administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity, Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI), and the Department of Revenue. Among Florida’s tax incentive programs, QTI is the largest and has the highest return … Continue reading Despite Problems, Florida’s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund is Best Performing Incentive
Tourism Vital to Florida’s Economy
By Erick Winterkamp Florida is known around the world for its white sandy beaches, diverse wildlife and theme parks. These environmental and manmade attractions make it a hotspot for domestic and international tourism. State and local taxes and spending have impacted the tourism industry, but Florida would likely be a tourism destination with or without … Continue reading Tourism Vital to Florida’s Economy
Targeted Industry Tax Incentives in Florida
By Marisa Lupica Tax incentives are a significant but ineffective part of states’ economic development policy. As of 2012 states spent an estimated $80.4 billion annually on tax incentives for businesses. Yet, most economic research on the subject finds that targeted tax incentives are ineffective at attracting businesses, creating jobs, or improving a state’s economic … Continue reading Targeted Industry Tax Incentives in Florida
The Per Business Regulatory Burden: Ranking Florida’s Local Governments
By Matt Kelly and Tyler Worthington The dramatic increase in federal government regulation has been well documented by economists and journalists, as has its detrimental effects on economic growth. The DeVoe Moore Center has constructed assorted measures of state and local regulatory restrictiveness. This article focused on revenues collected per business on the local level … Continue reading The Per Business Regulatory Burden: Ranking Florida’s Local Governments
Decision-making in a Community Redevelopment Agency
By Casey Barr As discussed in a previous blog post, Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) are a form of special district government that funds local redevelopment projects with taxpayer subsidies. But how are spending and organizational decisions made in a CRA? (Source: City of Tallahassee. Available at: https://www.talgov.com/cra/CRAHome.aspx) CRAs can only be established when two governmental units, such … Continue reading Decision-making in a Community Redevelopment Agency
New Report Analyzes Tallahassee’s Permitting Process
By Matt Kelly An efficient regulatory process is essential to the business development strategies of cities like Tallahassee, Florida. Regulations that are too cumbersome or unnecessary increase the cost of doing business without serving the public interest. The growth and negative impact of regulatory accumulation at the federal level has been well documented, but local … Continue reading New Report Analyzes Tallahassee’s Permitting Process
Community Redevelopment Agencies
By Casey Barr Local governments face the perennial dilemma of obtaining money to fund community redevelopment projects. Requesting state or federal funds can be an arduous bureaucratic process, and these funds are often awarded to larger, more prominent cities, ignoring smaller towns where need is arguably greater. Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) allow local governments to … Continue reading Community Redevelopment Agencies
Special Districts in Florida
By: Matt Kelly and Tyler Worthington Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Tip O’Neil once said, “all politics is local,” meaning that politicians must appeal to local constituents to succeed. Yet political economy is arguably most opaque and complex at local levels. Local governments have grown as numerous as they are multifaceted. Over … Continue reading Special Districts in Florida
Microfinancing: Good for the Poor?
By Logan Shewmaker Many businesses start on loans. Traditionally, the loan process works by allowing a business owner or individual to approach a bank, receive the money upfront, and then pay back the amount loaned out over a period of time. Bank loans range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to millions. Eligibility criteria usually … Continue reading Microfinancing: Good for the Poor?
Gender Wage Gap in Florida
By Tyler Worthington, Tian Ma, and Igor Lukashevich One of the hottest topics in the 2016 presidential race is income inequality. Income inequality between the genders has been of particular interest. According to the White House, full-time working women are paid 78 cents for every dollar earned by a man. However, the labor market in … Continue reading Gender Wage Gap in Florida
A Penny Seized is a Penny Earned: Asset Forfeiture in Florida
By Matt Kelly and Tyler Worthington Asset forfeiture is a tool used by federal and local law enforcement to seize property from people they believe may have been involved in a crime. In some cases, property has been seized and not returned to the accused even if charges were not filed or dropped. Local governments … Continue reading A Penny Seized is a Penny Earned: Asset Forfeiture in Florida
Urban gardens face zoning restrictions
By Stephany Bittar Urban gardens are cropping up all over the country, and it’s easy to see why. Growing food inside cities can be cheap, and can provide a new level of control over what we consume. Urban gardens can also strengthen communities by providing a healthy alternative to impoverished areas with limited access to … Continue reading Urban gardens face zoning restrictions
Tourism tax may soon be used for public services
By Erick Winterkamp Officials in Okaloosa County recently diverted $2.5 million of Tourism Development Tax (TDT) revenues to pay for beach patrol and lifeguards, a move that Florida’s powerful tourism lobby contested. Tourism industry interest groups like the Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association claimed this was … Continue reading Tourism tax may soon be used for public services
Top 2% of state employees see faster rise in income than bottom 98% since the Great Recession
By: Igor Lukashevich In 2014, the world was abuzz with talk of Thomas Piketty’s treatise on global economic inequality, Capital in the Twenty-First Century. The rising global disparity of income, the author argued, will inevitably result in social and economic instability across the world. It is interesting to note that income inequality also exists, and … Continue reading Top 2% of state employees see faster rise in income than bottom 98% since the Great Recession
Health Care and Education Departments Spend the Most of Florida’s State Budget
By: Nick Hyder and Tian Ma With 2015 behind us, it’s worthwhile to take stock of last year’s spending by state government. A state’s spending says a lot about its priorities, and accountability to taxpayers is an important component of a democracy. The Agency for Health Care Administration tops the list of spending by state … Continue reading Health Care and Education Departments Spend the Most of Florida’s State Budget
Florida’s Frugal Government
By Randall G. Holcombe, Ph.D. Living in Tallahassee, I often hear people complain about Florida’s frugal state government. It is true that Florida is among the most frugal states. According to this article Florida is second from the bottom among states in per capita state government expenditures, and this article says Florida is also second … Continue reading Florida’s Frugal Government
Duval county tops spending per person, followed by some of Florida’s smallest counties
By: Nick Hyder, Tian Ma, Igor Lukashevich, and Nadia James Out of the 67 counties in the state of Florida, Duval County spends the most per capita. Duval County is home to Florida’s most populous city, Jacksonville, which has a population over twice as large as Miami, Florida’s second most populous city. In 2014, Duval … Continue reading Duval county tops spending per person, followed by some of Florida’s smallest counties
Regulation of Uber, Lyft Should Be Local, Not Statewide
By Matt Kelly It seems that everywhere Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies (TNCs) set up shop, trouble with local regulators follows. The situation in Florida has been no different. The Uber vs. taxi debate has been so heated that state lawmakers have proposed legislation (HB 509) to simply regulate all vehicles for … Continue reading Regulation of Uber, Lyft Should Be Local, Not Statewide
Occupational Licensing For Florida’s Barbers Does More Harm Than Good
By Jamaal Gill The rise of occupational licensing has become a major concern to Florida’s businesses. These regulations affect everyone from doctors to restauranteurs; barbers to financial advisors. The main justifications for occupational licensing are the promotion of consumer welfare, public health, and a higher quality service. However, in many professions, occupational licensing keeps … Continue reading Occupational Licensing For Florida’s Barbers Does More Harm Than Good
Thaw in Cuban Economic Sanctions May Heat Up Florida’s Economy
By: Roberto Cordovez* Pope Francis’ trip to Havana has put Cuba back in the spotlight as America continues journey toward normalizing relations between the two nations. While most believe normalization will be a boon for Cuba’s economy, few have explored the implications for Florida’s economy. A 2014 poll conducted by Florida International University professors Guillermo … Continue reading Thaw in Cuban Economic Sanctions May Heat Up Florida’s Economy
Privatize the Florida Retirement System
By Randall G. Holcombe, Ph.D. Over the past few years both Governor Scott and several members of the Florida legislature have been pushing the idea of transforming the Florida Retirement System (FRS), which pays pensions to retired state workers, from a defined benefit system into a defined contribution system. A defined benefit system, which covers … Continue reading Privatize the Florida Retirement System
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is Regressive and Risky
By Matt Kelly Citizens Property Insurance Corporation was formed by the Florida Legislature in 2002 for the purpose of serving Florida’s residual property insurance market. Its creation was justified by the argument that middle-income residents have a tough time purchasing insurance in a hurricane-prone state like Florida, and public subsidies were needed to even the … Continue reading Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is Regressive and Risky
Property-tax hike in Tallahassee reveals broken budget process
Proposed tax increase in Tallahassee shows broken budget process. Zero-based budgeting would help.
Regulations mislead, unfairly question safety of small food producers
State regulations often impose unnecessary burdens on small businesses, including the cottage-food industry
Measuring Success and Failure in Public Transportation: The Case of Sunrail
By Santiago Arango In May, SunRail, Orlando’s commuter rail system, celebrated its first year of operation and was awarded a $93 million federal grant. Phase II of SunRail’s construction will add four more stations and 17.2 miles of rail into neighboring Osceola County within two years. Orlando is the 4th fastest growing city in … Continue reading Measuring Success and Failure in Public Transportation: The Case of Sunrail
Transit and Tourism in Tampa’s Heritage Streetcar’s
By Santiago Arango Heritage streetcars are built both to provide transportation services and to preserve the history of rail transit, a history that dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. As of late 2012, seven U.S cities have running heritage streetcars. The Tampa Electric Company (TECO) Line Streetcar System is one example. The Florida Department … Continue reading Transit and Tourism in Tampa’s Heritage Streetcar’s
Off The Grid: The Future of Solar Power
By Logan Shewmaker According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Florida ranks 3rd in the United States for rooftop solar energy potential. But Florida only ranks 13th in “cumulative solar capacity installed.” Some experts think that this lack of solar energy installation stems from poor policy. James Fenton, director of the Solar Energy Center … Continue reading Off The Grid: The Future of Solar Power
Taxis and Ridesourcing Companies Serve Different Customers
By Matt Kelly Uber, Lyft, Sidecar, and other “ridesourcing” services have been the subject of a near continuous stream of popular news stories, lawsuits, protests, and even regulatory reforms across the world. The reporting has often bordered on sensationalism, but a handful of recent economic studies have tried to objectively examine the effects of “ridesourcing” … Continue reading Taxis and Ridesourcing Companies Serve Different Customers
Solar Farm Proposed In Tallahassee
By Logan Shewmaker City of Tallahassee Utilities officials recently received proposals from solar contractors to build a solar farm, which could produce up to 10 megawatts of electricity (1% of Tallahassee’s energy needs). The project is expected to occupy 100 acres of land, and cost roughly $30 million. David Byrne, manager of electric system integrated … Continue reading Solar Farm Proposed In Tallahassee
New Study Sheds Light on Ridesharing’s Labor Market
By Matt Kelly Few economic issues have been more talked about this year than the disruptive forays into the taxi market by ridesharing technology companies like Uber and Lyft. It seems reasonable to assume ridesharing drivers are of the same ilk as traditional taxi drivers, yet little academic research has been done...until now. A recent … Continue reading New Study Sheds Light on Ridesharing’s Labor Market
Florida Risks Government Shutdown
Florida’s legislature failed to pass a budget in this years legislative session. The House and Senate are opposed on major issues related to health care policy and medicaid expansion. Interested readers will want to visit the Beacon, the blog at The Independent Institute’s website, where DeVoe Moore Scholar Dr. Randall Holcombe posted a blog on … Continue reading Florida Risks Government Shutdown
Pricing Water in Florida
By Tyler Worthington As Florida’s population grows it will have to address a multitude of new problems, including stress on water supplies. States like California have experienced severe water shortages in recent years, and mismanagement has exacerbated this problem. Because California does not accurately price water, it has been misallocated. In Florida, The Turkey Point … Continue reading Pricing Water in Florida
Is Florida All Aboard for Intercity Railroads?
By Matt Kelly A battle over railroads is underway in the Sunshine State. Activists in Florida have stridently protested All Aboard Florida (AAF), which will launch the United State’s first privately funded and operated intercity rail service in over 50 years. AAF’s opponents strongly doubts the enterprise’s financial viability. Generally, rail services across the country … Continue reading Is Florida All Aboard for Intercity Railroads?
Growlers Ban Likely to End
By Matt Kelly This legislative session, Florida lawmakers are considering reforms that would revamp many of the state’s regulations on alcohol. A measure to legalize a popular beer container size, the 64 oz. growler, has sparked a debate over the larger issue of the three-tier beer regulation system. Powerful special interests have complicated every step … Continue reading Growlers Ban Likely to End
FSU Students Learn about Emerging Sharing Economy
By Katie Dawson Last month, the DeVoe L. Moore Center had the opportunity to co-sponsor a one-day conference with the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) at Florida State University. FEE is an organization dedicated to educating individuals on free-markets and economics in a way that is both easily digestible and interesting. On February 28, their … Continue reading FSU Students Learn about Emerging Sharing Economy
Florida Legislators Seek To Clarify Ridesharing Regulations
By Matt Kelly The ridesharing technology company Uber has created quite a controversy overthe past year for its unprecedented disruption of the traditional taxi industry. Users praise the California-based company for shorter wait times and cheap fares, along with features like its driver rating system. Given the mobile app’s popularity with customers, many are now … Continue reading Florida Legislators Seek To Clarify Ridesharing Regulations
Depopulation of Citizens Property Insurance Should Continue
By Matt Kelly On February 17th, 2015, Florida state Senator Anitere Flores filed SB 1006, which would place restrictions on shifting insurance policies from state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to private sector insurers. Citizens’ policyholders would be notified before being transferred to private insurers, who would be barred from increasing premiums more than 10% annually … Continue reading Depopulation of Citizens Property Insurance Should Continue
Florida’s Dysfunctional Property Insurance System
By Matt Kelly Many readers will remember the hurricane season of 2004 as a chaotic time to be a Florida resident. The Sunshine State received four torrential storms that year, causing $45 billion in losses. School was cancelled, streets were covered with debris, and 37 lives were lost. Since 2005, Florida has experienced a nine-year … Continue reading Florida’s Dysfunctional Property Insurance System
Florida’s Franchise Laws are Holding Back Craft Beer
By Matt Kelly While legislators and beer enthusiasts across Florida attempt to lift a 50-year-old ban on growlers (64 oz. containers of beer), many are ignoring a key aspect of this controversial policy issue: franchise termination laws. Franchise law regulates contracts between beer manufacturers--breweries--(the franchisors) and distributors (the franchisees). Florida’s franchise laws, however, currently give … Continue reading Florida’s Franchise Laws are Holding Back Craft Beer
The Current State of Pensions in Florida
By Matt Kelly With their swampy humidity and world famous theme parks, Florida’s cities seem a world away from the frigid cold and automotive factories of Detroit, Michigan. Yet the two states have at least one commonality: underfunded pension liabilities. Such liabilities can potentially put a state or municipality into budgetary crisis, even bankruptcy. Reforming … Continue reading The Current State of Pensions in Florida
A March for Charity Reform is Afoot
Original post date: August, 28, 2014 Posted by: Matt Kelly By June of next year, hundreds, perhaps thousands will be marching 60 miles through New England to Salem, Massachusetts, the site where the Pilgrims first landed at Plymouth Rock. For three days, these passionate activists will trudge a path to change the world. They will … Continue reading A March for Charity Reform is Afoot
Solar Energy Users Left in the Dark by Utilities
Original post date: February 06, 2014 Article by: Anonymous Solar powered homes are becoming increasingly ubiquitous as US citizens move toward more environmentally sustainable ways of using energy. In 2013 rooftop solar systems were being installed at a rate of one new installation every 4 minutes. Although the Obama Administration is pushing for public and … Continue reading Solar Energy Users Left in the Dark by Utilities
Why do Workers Support The Minimum Wage?
Original post date: February 03, 2014 Article by: Ben Douglas One of the more peculiar political phenomena of our time is the widespread support of minimum wage laws among unskilled labor, particularly service workers in low-wage industries such as hotels, restaurants, and retail shops. This is likely to increase with President Obama’s push to increase … Continue reading Why do Workers Support The Minimum Wage?
Selling Land to Buy Land
Original post date: January 22, 2014 Article by: Anonymous 6/7/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. Florida has more than 3 million acres of state lands protected from development by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Almost 5,000 acres of this conservation land could soon be up for sale. The … Continue reading Selling Land to Buy Land
Transit as an Inferior Good
Original post date: November 25, 2013 Article by: Ben Douglas 6/6/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. Mass transit is frequently accompanied by mass-subsidization, cartelization, and monopolies. This chronic need for artificial support might be an indication of its inherent inferiority as an economically valued good or service. If consumers … Continue reading Transit as an Inferior Good
Go Green, Don’t Expand Transit
Original post date: November 04, 2013 Article by: Ben Douglas The careful application of economics to policy reveals a host of ironies. Minimum wages create unemployment among the very unskilled laborers policymakers intend to help. Rent control destroys housing in the very cities it is intended to save. Adam Smith’s entire concept of an “invisible hand,” … Continue reading Go Green, Don’t Expand Transit
Preliminary Prices on Obamacare Exchanges Exceeds Estimates
Original post date: October 30, 2013 Article by: Anonymous Now that October 1 has passed, the online marketplaces for health insurance under Obamacare are open for business. Individuals are free to browse the site and choose any policy available to them after answering some questions and being guided through their options. So far, site traffic … Continue reading Preliminary Prices on Obamacare Exchanges Exceeds Estimates
Transit Reform in Santiago: Part II
Original post date: October 22, 2013 Article by: Ben Douglas 5/16/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. The success of any endeavor is dependent upon the metric being used. If the goal of transit reform in Santiago, Chile was the elimination of profit from transit and the homogenization of bus … Continue reading Transit Reform in Santiago: Part II
San Diego’s Pension Reform Bodes Well for Carl Demaio
Original post date: October 10, 2013 Article by: Anonymous 5/10/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. Carl DeMaio is one controversial congressional candidate. He served from 2008 to 2012 as city councilman of San Diego, where his ideas for pension reform became popularized, and he is also a policy analyst … Continue reading San Diego’s Pension Reform Bodes Well for Carl Demaio
Wealth Migration Pays Florida
State. It is also worth noting that you can track individual counties. For Florida, the biggest winners were a strip along the Gulf coast (from Citrus County to Collier) and most of the Atlantic coast. Of course, there are other factors at play. The elderly (who are more likely to be wealthy) have been retiring … Continue reading Wealth Migration Pays Florida
Obamacare Exchanges Limit Insurance Choices
Original post date: September 16, 2013 Article by: Anonymous 5/10/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. While Florida decided against setting up the insurance exchange that’s part of Obamacare, many states are on board with the idea. This gives the states that are sitting out of the exchange game for … Continue reading Obamacare Exchanges Limit Insurance Choices
Legislator Residency Called into Question
Original post date: July 30, 2013 Article by: Anonymous 5/10/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Governor Scott has assigned his top lawyer to look into claims that six state legislators do not actually reside in the districts they represent. The accusations come courtesy … Continue reading Legislator Residency Called into Question
Housing Formation in a Recession
Post date: June 27, 2013 Article by: Gary Chong-Qui In past years, a stigma seems to have followed people moving back in with their parents after college. Most undergrads think they’ll have their lives sorted out by the time graduation day comes, or at the very least have some direction for moving on. The statistics … Continue reading Housing Formation in a Recession
Public Debt: How Does Florida Stack Up?
Original post date: June 20, 2013 Article by: Anonymous 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. Over at the Tax Foundation, a recent Monday Map highlights the debt per capita of each state. The good news is that Florida ranks fairly low on the list, coming in at #40; I’ll … Continue reading Public Debt: How Does Florida Stack Up?
Yellow Light Corruption
Original post date: June 05, 2013 Article by: Anonymous In the news recently is a story that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), in conjunction with municipalities around the state, has been responsible for shortening yellow light durations below the minimum level recommended by the federal government. The story, broken by 10 News in Tampa, … Continue reading Yellow Light Corruption
Ohio Pedicab Operator Regulatory Goal? Limit Competition
Original post date: June 04, 2013 Article by: Sam Staley 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. At least pedicab operators in Columbus, Ohio are honest about what they expect out of the city's licensing process: Purging the city of competition. The city is about to adopt regulations that, among … Continue reading Ohio Pedicab Operator Regulatory Goal? Limit Competition
Path Dependence, Entrenched Interests, and the Future of Transit
Original post date: April 09, 2013 Article by: Anonymous Path dependence: The tendency of a past or traditional practice or preference to continue even if better alternatives are available. Mortimer L. Downey has worked in New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (MATA), and was one of several presenters at a May … Continue reading Path Dependence, Entrenched Interests, and the Future of Transit
Florida Does Not Need More Corporate Welfare
Original post date: March 27, 2013 Article by: Anonymous 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer working have been fixed. Even amongst fiscal conservatives, the argument is often made that the public funding of sports stadiums is justified because of the economic benefits they bring to their communities. According to TBO, the state senate … Continue reading Florida Does Not Need More Corporate Welfare
Florida’s Public Pension Funding #1
Original post date: November 29, 2012 Article by: Anonymous Despite all of the controversy surrounding the soundness of Florida’s public pension programs, a report by Jagadeesh Gokhale at the Cato Institute recognizes Florida as the number one state in terms of public pension plan health. This may be surprising due to all of the scrutiny Florida’s … Continue reading Florida’s Public Pension Funding #1
For Whom the Road Rolls (Me or Thee?)
Original post date: September 05, 2012 Article by: Sam Staley A catchy little tune is making its way around the Internet, lambasting the tolls levied by the Dulles Greenway. The Greenway is a privately developed, owned, and financed extension of the Dulles Tollroad (which is publicly owned and operated). The song, “Highway Robbery,” laments the … Continue reading For Whom the Road Rolls (Me or Thee?)
Is Florida Headed for a Seller’s Market?
Original Post date: July 10, 2012 Article by: Anonymous The subtitle of a recent Miami Herald Business Monday (6/18/2012) article read: “South Florida's real estate market suffers from depressed prices and low inventory [emphasis added].” With an average decrease of 49% in real estate values from the housing peak in 2006, perhaps suffering is an … Continue reading Is Florida Headed for a Seller’s Market?
About the DeVoe Moore Center Blog
Original Post date: July 10, 2012 Article by: Sam Staley 5/8/2023 Edits: Some links that were no longer compatible have been fixed. Welcome to the official blog of the DeVoe L. Moore Center. In the coming days, weeks, and months, we will be highlighting facts and analysis focusing on land use, housing, real-estate markets, urban … Continue reading About the DeVoe Moore Center Blog