The Causes of Fiscal Transparency: Evidence from the U.S. States

James E. Alt, David Dreyer Lassen () and Shanna Rose
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James E. Alt: International Monetary Fund
Shanna Rose: International Monetary Fund

IMF Staff Papers, 2006, vol. 53, pages 2

Abstract: We use unique panel data on the evolution of transparent budget procedures in the U.S. states over the past three decades to explore the political and economic determinants of fiscal transparency. Our case studies and quantitative analysis suggest that both politics and fiscal policy outcomes influence the level of transparency. More equal political competition and power sharing are associated with both greater levels of and increases in fiscal transparency during the sample period. Political polarization and past fiscal conditions, in particular state government debt and budget imbalances, also appear to affect the level of transparency. Copyright 2006, International Monetary Fund

JEL-codes: D72 D78 H70 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
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