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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Foreclosed Properties Sold to Homeowners Stabilize Property Values
The collapse of the housing market led to an increase in the number of foreclosed residences, with ownership of many reverting to the banks. These are referred to as REO (real estate owned) properties. Recent research concludes the presence of REOs in a neighborhood can lower the property values of nearby homes, but these studies … Continue reading Foreclosed Properties Sold to Homeowners Stabilize Property Values
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
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
Measuring Liberty: The Economic Freedom of the World Index
By Matt Kelly Defining freedom can be a difficult endeavor, yet the ability to compare relative economic and social liberties among countries is of significant importance for economic research. With that aim in mind, Florida State University professor and DeVoe Moore scholar James Gwartney and Robert Lawson of Southern Methodist University, have compiled the Economic … Continue reading Measuring Liberty: The Economic Freedom of the World Index
Price Regulations Complicate Net Metering and Solar Energy
By Logan Shewmaker As in four other states, all electricity for residential use in Florida must be purchased from franchised utility companies. However, solar energy advocates are trying to change this by allowing private purchase agreements between residents and solar companies in order to expand rooftop solar power production in the Sunshine State. Crucial to … Continue reading Price Regulations Complicate Net Metering and Solar Energy
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
New Study Tests the Merits of Surge Pricing
By Matt Kelly As Uber, Lyft and other “ridesharing” services continue to revolutionize the urban transportation landscape, more complaints are surfacing questioning the efficiency and fairness of the innovative services they provide. One of the more recent is “surge pricing,” the idea that services provided during peak periods carry a higher charge or fee. A … Continue reading New Study Tests the Merits of Surge Pricing
Entrepreneurship and Civil Rights: Then and Now
Photograph of Eunice N. Cofie, entrepreneur and founder of Nuekie. Original post date: November 07, 2014 Article by: Matt Kelly Florida State University recently hosted distinguished Florida A&M University professor David Jackson for a lecture on the role of business in the Civil Rights Movement. Using his research on Booker T. Washington as a basis, … Continue reading Entrepreneurship and Civil Rights: Then and Now
Taxes, Inequality, and Business Climate
Original post date: September 19, 2014 Article by: Dan Davy Today, states are left with a difficult choice between maintaining revenue growth and providing a competitive business climate. Taxes that promote the most competitive business climates tend to be less progressive and have lower growth rates. Standard and Poor’s (S&P) released a new report finding that states … Continue reading Taxes, Inequality, and Business Climate