HICKS: President chooses wisely with recent donation
Why not treat charitable deductions the same way we treat most retirement savingsâ??extend the deadline until April 15?
Economic Analysis
Articles
HICKS: Health care battle won, but what about war?
The potential flaws in this bill are so enormous that to opponents of the bill it looks like planned failure, designed to usher in a national health service.
HICKS: Taxation not top factor in attracting business
Businesses care about taxes to be sure, but the availability of a pool of well-trained workers is at the forefront of most business-location decisions.
HICKS: Recession slows with costly job creation
While economists share broad agreement on a surprisingly large number of issues, the most visible discord lies in how two
groups view the causes of recession.
HICKS: Courage will be necessary to curb inflation
Inflation causes lenders to raise interest rates. Businesses slow their borrowing, produce less and require fewer workers. Within a year or so, inflation becomes everyoneâ??s problem.
HICKS: Cash-strapped cities paying for prior choices
We are making budget cuts today that could well have been slowly phased-in for a generation. What are the implications?
HICKS: Tenure is protectionism in a tweed jacket
Academic tenure, with its promise of lifelong employment based upon five to seven years of work experience, is silly and
makes those of us who have pursued a career in teaching and research look disingenuous.
HICKS: A growing love connection to new media
Changes in media, especially new media,
will alter the life of my kindergartner. I am no futurist, but it seems to me that three big trends are clearly emerging.
HICKS: Economic uncertainty is crushing job growth
Businesses take risks. Risk tolerance is
the hallmark of a successful businessman and entrepreneur. But those same businesses dread uncertainty.
HICKS: So far, federal stimulus plan isn’t stimulating
It has been roughly a year since the passage of the economic stimulus, formally the more harmonious American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. This stimulus is a textbook example of what we economists call counter-cyclical fiscal policy.
HICKS: When it comes to migration, people follow the money
Folks tend to migrate to warmer, sunnier and more tax-friendly places.
HICKS: Urban-to-rural state tax flow makes sense
With only a few exceptions, tax dollars flow from urban counties to rural counties.
HICKS: Bloomington’s chain store debate a tough sell
We have this little thing called an equal protection clause that prevents us singling out so clearly a chain store.
HICKS: Reducing deficit imperative for national prosperity
The end of this decade is as good a time as any to reflect upon what has passed. We’ve had wars, two recessions,
three presidents, five Congresses and 10 Bowl Championship Series teams. Our population has risen, employment has risen, and
personal income has risen. The average American family is healthier, wealthier and, ideally, wiser. However, to listen to political rhetoric today, you’d think we’ve been living in the darkest
of ages.
HICKS: Recession may help close job-skills gap
One of the most important effects of the recession â??lower employment â?? is likely to be stubbornly persistent.
HICKS: Scandal may put chill on global-warming research
A long series of leaked or hacked e-mails strongly indicate that several prominent climate scientists have hidden data, conspired
to hide unfavorable findings, and doctored scientific evidence.
HICKS: New breast cancer recommendation not supported
Under the current proposal, the same type of groups that made the CDC’s recommendations will outline guidelines about which treatment will be offered under a government program.
HICKS: Nutritional poverty plagues land of plenty
It is not sufficient merely to provide sustenance; we need to teach folks how and what to eat.
HICKS: Content expertise best basis for teacher licensing
At a time when we are desperate for science and math teachers, and when several big firms are laying off scientists, we should
be jumping at the chance to get them into the classroom.
HICKS: Families of veterans also serve their country
I have to note that Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. It is rightfully a time we thank those among us who have served.