The Many Sides of the Minimum Wage Debate

The complexities of the minimum wage debate involve different incentives for employers and employees and different minimum wages in the U.S.

Why Doing Good is Not Always Easy

By recognizing the tradeoffs of recycling, preserving endangered species and improving world health, doing good could become more productive.

When Cities Ban Chain Stores

Relating to prices, a local multiplier and vacancies, there are tradeoffs if municipalities change the competitive market structure by banning chain stores.

The Bills in Detroit and Elsewhere

Whether looking at the Buffalo Bills unexpectedly traveling to Detroit, college or high school football, the marginal cost of travel is rising.

Problems With Sugary Drink Taxes

To avoid inelastic demand, a sugary drink tax would need to increase price substantially. Current taxes that average less than 5% have little impact.

A Tale of Two Cities… and One Mall

Half of the Valley Fair Mall is in Santa Clara, CA while the other half is in San Jose. Because San Jose has a minimum wage of $10.15 while Santa Clara’s is $8.00, the stores at the mall have a problem. Minimum…

Should Detroit Sell Its Art?

During 2009, a still life painted by Henri Matisse was sold at a Christie’s auction for $46 million. The Detroit Institute of Arts owns Poppies, also a Matisse oil on canvas but a bit larger. A municipal bankruptcy like Detroit’s creates…

A Spring Training Dilemma

The battle was between Mesa, Arizona and Naples, Florida. It was the Cactus League vs. the Grapefruit League. Arizona’s homes for the Cactus League:   Florida’s homes for the Grapefruit League: Our story begins in 1952 when the Chicago Cubs…

What We Sacrifice for Pothole Patches

With 150,000 more potholes than last year and $12 for each temporary patch, Chicago has spent close to $3 million on pothole repair and the end is not in sight. NYC was at a record breaking 113,131 on February 20.…

Law & Order and Jimmy Fallon

States can use taxes for more than revenue. Our story begins when NYC lost the $79 million that Law & Order generated annually because NBC cancelled the show. Just feeding the actors for 14 years meant $1.5 million to David’s Gourmet Catering and…