Fiscal Effects of the Voter Initiative in the First Half of the Twentieth Century

Posted: 20 Jun 2000

See all articles by John G. Matsusaka

John G. Matsusaka

University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business; USC Gould School of Law

Abstract

This paper compares the fiscal policy of initiative and non-initiative states in the first half of the 20th century. States with initiatives had higher combined state and local expenditure after controlling for income and other demographics, but a lower ratio of state to local expenditure. This, together with existing evidence from later in the century, suggests that the voter initiative does not have a consistent effect on the overall size to state and local government. However, it does systematically lead to more decentralized expenditure.

JEL Classification: H71, H73, N00

Suggested Citation

Matsusaka, John G., Fiscal Effects of the Voter Initiative in the First Half of the Twentieth Century. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=231775

John G. Matsusaka (Contact Author)

University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business ( email )

Department of Finance & Business Economics
Los Angeles, CA 90089
United States
213-740-6495 (Phone)
213-740-6650 (Fax)

USC Gould School of Law

699 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90089
United States
213-740-6495 (Phone)

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