Richard H. Mattoon

A Mixed Bag: Assessmentof Market Performance and Firm Trading Behaviour in the NOx Reclaim Programme

Tradable permit markets have become an increasingly popular tool to address environmental policy problems. This paper describes and evaluates the performance of the Regional Clean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM) that started operating in Southern California at the beginning of 1994. In analysing overall market performance as well as industry and firm specific information,we find strong evidence for uncertainty influencing market participation during the first two years. Furthermore we find evidence for flexibility-induced abatement cost savings as well as a potential business cycle effect on trading behaviour.Our findings emphasizethe importanceof institutional features of trading programmes.

Revenue Cyclicality and Changes in Income and Policy

The past two recessions have proved alarming to state government finances. In 2001, a relatively shallow national recession led to a severe downturn in state revenues that took three years to unwind. In the wake of the recent economic downturn, signs of fiscal stress are readily apparent. In this paper, we investigate whether the revenue patterns surrounding these two recessions are the result of state government revenues having grown more sensitive to economic conditions. We find that the responsiveness of revenues to measures of business cycle conditions has grown since the 1990s. We use data on state government revenues, state�?specific information on economic conditions, and measures of state policy to examine fiscal performance and budgeting practice over the economic cycle. Our findings suggest that increasing income cyclicality, in particular of investment income, has made state revenues more responsive to the business cycle since the mid�?1990s. We also find that changes in policy making have served to increase revenue cyclicality.

The Electricity System at the Crossroads - Policy Choices and Pitfalls

Can electricity markets be successfully opened to competition? Events ranging from Californias electricity crisis to the fall of electricity trading giant Enron have caused policymakers to reexamine the benefits of restructuring the industry. This article examines policy developments in the Midwest and highlights some lessons that might help guide future electricity policy.

Preventing the next state budget crisis: A conference summary

On September 17, 2018, over 100 researchers, academics, policymakers, and business people gathered at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to explore strategies and methods for improving state fiscal stability and performance while promoting budgetary transparency. The Chicago Fed cosponsored the program with the Volcker Alliance, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

Navigating pension reform in Illinois

Illinois is one of several states facing severe state and local public pension crises, but it is uniquely constrained in its ability to address the problem due to recent judicial rulings that all but prohibit pension benefit changes for current and retired public employees. A conference cosponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Civic Federation on April 17, 2018, examined the state’s options.