HICKS: Card check folly and the demise of unions
This Labor Day sees the American labor movement in serious decline. In fact, U.S. private-sector union membership
has been in serious decline for three decades.
Economic Analysis
Articles
HICKS: Clunkers popularity went beyond consumers
The Cash for
Clunkers program has seriously challenged my high-mindedness. It is time for a bit of soul searching.
HICKS: As classes begin, students have fresh opportunity
Classes start this week at Ball State University, and other colleges and universities across the country. For many, it is
a bittersweet moment, as parents say goodbye to their now young adults, handing them over to professors and scarily youthful
resident hall assistants for safekeeping.
HICKS: Health care experts make poor economists
In almost every place that two or more Americans gather, health care is debated. Because the bills before Congress are
inaccessible, the debate has shifted instead to principles such as the role of government and individual freedoms. I think this a healthy thing.
HICKS: Indiana State Fair offers fun kind of economic stimulus
The Indiana State Fair is a great treat, but there’s a lot more to it than the food and fun. In 2008, more than 859,000 folks visited the fair. According to our estimates, spending at the fair last year led to more than $63 million in total economic activity.
HICKS: Structural unemployment not always a burden
A few weeks ago, a couple of my economist colleagues took issue with the phrasing in one of my columns. In a rare turn
of events, they are right, and I was wrong.
HICKS: What happened in California could happen here
California can no longer sustain its government. This is the lesson for Indiana.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS: Stimulus plan must work now … or it never will
The postmortem and dissection of the federal economic stimulus plan have begun in earnest. The president has added to his woes by saying the stimulus will take years, not months, to work, and his chief economist managed to squeak out the headline or two that the worst is ahead of us.
HICKS: Muncie’s status quo is high taxes, poor service
Property-tax caps, as well as a dwindling population and commercial base, have left Muncie in the uncomfortable
situation of cutting budgets. Since the bulk of costs are related to fire and police salaries, few options
are available. The city has turned to the short length of rope the Legislature offered amid the debate
on property tax caps—the Local Option Income Tax.
HICKS: The gift of John Fisher went beyond business
It would be artless this week to write an article on economics and business in Indiana without remarking upon the passing of John Fisher. Much has been written about his legacy over this past week, so I will make do with an anecdote and a lesson I have learned from him.
HICKS: Certain unemployment causes worse than others
Unemployment often is a necessary and natural part of a healthy economy. But job losses that come when workers or even entire
industries become redundant are especially painful.
HICKS: Recessions end, with or without government help
The worst is likely behind us, but difficult times lie ahead, especially for the unemployed.
HICKS: Muncie’s budget woes point to a troubled system
Yhe budget concerns that Muncie and other local governments face are really a circular problem. Taxes got out of hand largely
because of an 18th century system of local government. That same system cannot fix the problem–for it is the problem.
HICKS: Management’s complicity with union doomed GM
General Motors Corp.’s bankruptcy marked the second-largest commercial failure in modern history. It is an opportunity for deep reflection.
HICKS: Administration demonized ‘investors’ in Chrysler deal
Almost one-third of Chrysler’s investors are schoolteachers, college administrators, firefighters and police officers. These
“vultures” of Wall Street finance have seen the value of their hard work severely hampered by the Chrysler bankrutcy plan.
Holiday a reminder of the value of public service
Many lament the loss of what might be called timeless values. I place these into two categories; both are exemplified and sustained by military service.
State tourism advertising poses tough question
If Indiana is to be marketed as a region, government will be the one to do it.
EPA policies cannot force economic choices
We are at a critical moment in environmental policy. We suffer a dearth of frankness on the matter that imperils the quality
of our decision-making.
Build your economy by assessing community
Hard times present a fitting opportunity for communities to engage in useful self-reflection. In this case, deep thinking on the regional economy could best be served by focusing on the fundamentals first, not the outcomes.
‘Buy local’ offers no protection for bad businesses
These days, the "buy local" crowd seems to have a stronger voice. I am gleeful about this for a variety of reasons, but it
is helpful to view some of their claims with a bit of skepticism. At least that is what economists should do.