Working Papers

The Career Effects of Union Membership

Union membership raises the wages of younger workers but protects older workers from layoffs better. The marginal union member makes use of public transfer systems at far lower rates, saving the government money.

The Effect of Labor Market Competition on Firms, Workers, and Communities

Labor market competition leads to higher real worker earnings, lower firm productivity, firm closer, greater inequality, population loss, and changes in political sentiments in communities affected by it.

The Spillover Effects of Labor Regulations on the Structure of Earnings and Employment: Evidence from Occupational Licensing

Occupational licensing has negative wage and labor supply effects on occupations that use similar latent skills consistent with a monopsony model. The negative effects are particularly strong for women, black workers, and Hispanic workers.

Financial Repercussions of SNAP Work Requirements

SNAP work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) significantly increased credit seeking, credit balances, and past due credit cards.

The Dynamics of Power in Labor Markets: Monopolistic Unions versus Monopsonistic Employers

Union density mitigates the negative earnings effects of employer market concentration. Unionization benefits white collar and above-median workers at the firm most in more competitive markets.

Monopsony, Skills, and Labor Market Concentration

Labor market concentration within skill clusters is lower than other measures. Higher concentration leads to lower wages, with heterogeneity in effects.

Making Reference-Dependent Preferences: Evidence from Door-to-Door Sales

Workers exhibit reference-dependent labor supply around expectations. Their expectations are based upon optimizing long-run objectives at lump-sum bonuses paid by the firm.

Insurance Subsidies, the Affordable Care Act, and Financial Stability

The tax credits in the Affordable Care Act substantially reduce bankruptcy, and severely delinquent debt. Welfare gains for protection against medical debt accounts for 15% of program costs, while indirect transfers to creditors, lenders, and hospitals account for almost 2/3 of the costs.

The Changing Skill Content of Private Sector Union Coverage

Union membership has become relatively more focused on non-routine, cognitive skills over time in the US. We contextualize this in a Roy model of unionization in the US.

The Place-Based Turn in Federal Policy, 1990-2015

The federal government spent over $360 billion from 1990-2015 on place-based policies. Areas with more disadvantage, more segregation, and more non-profit capacity received more of these funds.