Complete issue

Feature Articles

Do New England State and Local Governments Have Too Many Employees, and Are They Overpaid?
Americans tend to be ambivalent about their state and local governments. On the one hand, they desire – and receive – a host of public services from state and local governments, including education, police and fire protection, and the maintenance of roadways. Voters are often disenchanted by efforts to curtail these services or by a deterioration in their quality. On the other hand, many Americans think that their state and local taxes, especially local property taxes, are too high, and many citizens believe that their state and local tax dollars could be used more efficiently. Calls for streamlining government agencies and downsizing the public sector are commonplace across the nation.
Full-text article

Across the Region / Six-State Review
The fiscal performance of the six New England states.
Full-text article

Important Notice
This is the last isssue of Fiscal Facts. The New England Public Policy Center, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, will resume reporting on fiscal developments and conditions in New England after a comprehensive redesign of existing publications. Thank you for your helpful omments and insights over the years.

Robert Tannenwald
Editor