Employment Trends in the Public Sector

A detailed assessment of employment trends in the public sector from 1979 to 2001 is provided. Particular attention is paid to the relative level of public sector employment is Wisconsin . The analysis also examines the relationship between the size of state and local government and overall employment growth from 1979-2001. Results suggest that growth in total employment and employment in the public sector are highly correlated; higher shares of total employment in the public sector in the beginning of the period are not correlated with subsequent growth rates; but a state that sees the public sector grow faster then overall employment growth tends to be associated with slower overall growth. In addition, when measuring the size of the public sector in terms of employment, Wisconsin does not appear to be out of balance when compared to other states. Employment growth in state government over the period 1979-2001 is one of the lowest in the country and employment growth at the local government level is slightly above the national average. Detailed changes in employment by category are also examined for the US and Wisconsin from 1993 to 2002. These data suggest that there has been significant disinvestment in several areas that contribute to the overall quality of life in Wisconsin which may in turn hinder the future potential for economic growth and development.

Changes in Public Sector Employment with a Focus on Wisconsin 1993 to 2004

This study examines patterns of total employment growth and growth in the public sector. We use data from the 50 states with a focus on the 1993 to 2004 time period. We define the public sector with respect to state government as well as local government with the latter including counties, municipalities, K-12 public schools and special districts. We maintain that given the labor intensive nature of the public sector we can assess the size of the government by monitoring public sector employment. The results clearly suggest that Wisconsin's public sector, as measured by employment, is not "out of control" and growth in the public sector is a natural by-product of growth in the overall economy.

Government, Effectiveness, Performance and Local Property Values

We offer a practical test of local government effectiveness in the provision of public services. Building on the work of Brueckner (1979, 1982, 1983) and Henderson (1990, 1995) we offer a property value maximization model where levels of local public services are capitalized into property values. Using data for Wisconsin municipalities we demonstrate that service expenditure levels, and corresponding taxation levels, should be increased. In other words, the property value maximization test suggests that local public services in Wisconsin are consistently under-provided. By monitoring local property values officials can objectively determine if public services are being provided in an optimal manner.

The Fiscal Health of Wisconsin Municipalities: An Update for 2007

A web-based survey of fiscal health was administered to Wisconsin cities and villages during the spring of 2007. A total of 200 communities responded to the survey. Of those responding, 49 percent reported that their current revenue base is inadequate and more than 64 percent responded that their fiscal condition in five years will be inadequate. Some of the strategies most actively pursued in response to fiscal stress include delaying capital expenditures, targeted budget cuts and delaying routine maintenance expenditures. Strategies least likely to be pursued include reducing hours of public facilities, eliminating services and pursuing regional cooperation agreements. The same survey was administered in 2004 and while statistical comparisons are not permissible due to differences in responding communities, a few points are noteworthy. Compared to 2004, communities are slightly more optimistic today about their current financial condition (46 percent had adequate revenues in 2007 compared to 51 percent in 2004). Conversely, communities have dimmer prospects looking out the next five years today compared to 2004 (64 percent foresee having inadequate revenues in 2007 compared to 54 percent in 2004).

Wisconsin Local Government, State Shared Revenues and the Illusive Flypaper Effect

This study focuses on the impacts state shared revenues has on local government finances. Specifically we examine what is referred to in the academic literature as the "flypaper effect." Using a simple model of local fiscal behavior Bradford and Oates (1971a, 1971b) predict that aids to local governments is the equivalent to cash transfers to local constituents. Thus aids to local governments should have the same impact on local government spending as does increases in local personal income. Empirical studies, however, have found that aids to local governments has a much greater simulative affect on local spending than does a comparable increase in the income of local constituents. Private income is disproportionately spend on private consumption while aids, income received by local governments, is primarily spent on public services.

How Stressed Are Wisconsin Cities and Villages?

For the fourth time since 1997, a web-based survey of fiscal health was administered to administrative officials of Wisconsin cities and villages during the summer of 2010. A total of 195 municipalities responded to the survey. Of those administrative officials responding, 53 percent reported that their current revenue base was inadequate and more than 62 percent responded that their fiscal condition in five years will be inadequate. Some of the strategies most actively pursued in response to fiscal stress include the adoption or increase in user fees and charges, improved productivity through better management and pursuit of grants from federal/state governments. Strategies least likely to be pursued include laying off workers, increasing short-term debt and reducing hours of operation.

Scholarly Engagement & Research Partnerships at UNO: Nebraska Benefits

How do you bring to life a College’s mission that includes helping the community solve important problems

Tips to Ensure Impact: Finding and Applying Financial Data to Governance Challenges

Finding and applying financial data to governance challenges Breakout Sessio

Method Effects and the Need for Cognition Scale

Individual differences in the need for cognition are typically assessed using the 18-item Need for cognition scale (NCS) developed by Cacioppo and Petty (1982). However, in contrast to the unidimensional model proposed by the scale developers, recent factor analyses have introduced two -and three- dimensional models of the scale. Confirmatory factor analyses were used in this study to evaluate different measurement models based on data provided by 590 (236 males, 354 females) young adult members of the general public. Although some alternative models showed promise, a single factor model with method effects associated with positively and negatively worded items provided best fit. Implications for the asses sment of need for cognition are considered

Examining Nebraska\u27s Local Finance Picture

CPACS Urban Research Awards Part of the mission of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) is to conduct research, especially as it relates to concerns of our local and statewide constituencies. CPACS has always had an urban mission, and one way that mission is served is to preform applied research relevant to urban society in general, and the Omaha metropolitan area and other Nebraska urban communities in particular. Beginning in 2014, the CPACS Dean provided funding for the projects with high relevance to current urban issues, with the potential to apply the findings to practice in Nebraska, Iowa, and beyond