Facing the challenge of retiree health care: liabilities and responses of state and local governments - a conference summary

On March 12, 2008, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Civic Federation held a forum on retiree health care for state and local government employees. The participants focused on strategies to finance and administer other post-employment benefits, or OPEB.Medical care, Cost of ; Retirement

Balancing act: tax structure in the seventh district

Federal Reserve District, 7th ; Taxation

State budgets under stress: paths to sustainability

State governments have been noticeably absent in contributing to U.S. economic growth since the recession of 2008–09. Despite some recovery in tax revenues, many states are still reporting budget shortfalls and spending pressures for pensions and health care.Budget - United States ; Fiscal policy - United States

Economic development policy in the 1990s-are state economic development agencies ready?

Economic development ; Regional economics

Should the federal government bail out the states? Lessons from past recessions

Like the economy in general, individual state economies are struggling in this recession. State governments face significant constraints in raising additional revenues. Most states are required to balance their budgets regardless of the economic environment. This article considers the role of the federal government in helping the states to manage their finances.Federal government ; State finance

Assessing the state and local sector - Where will the money come from?: a conference summary

On May 12, 2009, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the National Association of State Budget Officers, and the National Tax Association co-sponsored a conference to examine key issues facing state and local governments, with a focus on factors that may affect their current and future revenues.Business cycles ; Tax revenue estimating ; Tax revenue estimating - Illinois

Higher education and economic growth

The future of higher education and its relationship to economic growth were the focus of a one-day conference at the Chicago Fed on November 2, 2005. Cosponsored by the bank, the Committee on Institutional Cooperation, and the Midwestern Higher Education Compact, the event brought together over 100 academic, business, and government leaders.Education - Economic aspects

Energy markets and the Midwest economy

This article examines the effects of fuel prices on the Midwest economy. As a region that is still disproportionately reliant on manufacturing, the Midwest would be expected to feel the brunt of high energy costs. However, is this still the case, or has the impact been mitigated over time by the restructuring of the region’s economy? The author finds that the Midwest has followed the national pattern of decreasing reliance on energy to produce regional output, but still has a relatively high concentration of energy-intensive industries that, when combined with unfavorable weather conditions, suggests that the region is still sensitive to energy price spikes.Energy consumption

Can the states solve the health care crisis?

Insurance, Health ; Medical care, Cost of

The state of the state and local government sector: fiscal issues in the Seventh District

This article reviews the state and local budget situation, particularly in the states of the Seventh Federal Reserve Districts (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin). These states have pursued different fiscal policies over the last decade and have relied on different tax structures to pay for government, yet all are facing significant budget shortfalls.Fiscal policy ; Budget