JOURNAL ARTICLE

Do Institutions Matter? The Impact of Budget Expertise on State Fiscal Responsibility.

  • Published In: Journal of Public Administration Research & Theory, 2023, v. 33, n. 4. P. 606 1 of 3

  • Database: Business Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Emrich, Colin 3 of 3

Abstract

This article investigates whether nonpartisan state legislative fiscal offices constrain state actors by improving the fiscal health of state budgets. Using an original data set covering all 50 states from 1963 to 2014 and employing a generalized difference-in-differences estimator, the study finds no significant evidence that the presence of nonpartisan fiscal offices leads to greater budget surpluses compared to partisan fiscal offices. This null effect persists even when the legislature controls official revenue forecasts, suggesting that institutional design and political dynamics limit the influence of these offices on fiscal outcomes. The findings highlight challenges nonpartisan bodies face in affecting budgetary decisions within polarized and politically contentious state environments.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Public Administration Research & Theory. 2023/10, Vol. 33, Issue 4, p606
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Business and Management
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:1053-1858
  • DOI:10.1093/jopart/muac044
  • Accession Number:171896128
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Public Administration Research & Theory is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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