Research Focus: The focus of this project is to develop a better understanding of how municipalities make decisions on issues such as funding. I have developed my own national panel data of historical changes in local sales tax rates for nearly every municipality in the United States. Sales tax revenues is one of the primary ways municipalities raise revenue, but this topic is difficult to gather information on and has had little research. I will compare gathered data to a database of municipal bond issuances (another form of raising capital). I will then analyze the relationships between the two forms of raising capital, and then conclude implications this could have on local governments to aid in their decision making about how to raise capital. 

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Project Responsibilities:  I am responsible for data collection and organization, and then analyzing this data to determine trends and relationships. My faculty mentor has databases on municipal bonds issuances I will use, and my mentor will also guide me on proper methodologies. I will then be responsible for drafting the final paper, and ensuring the research as been thoroughly examined/conducted, and is ready to be submitted for publication.