Volume 35, Number 1, 77-95, DOI: 10.1007/s11293-006-9062-6

Wal-Mart’s Impact on Local Revenue and Expenditure Instruments in Ohio, 1988–2003

Michael J. Hicks

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Abstract

This research estimates fiscal impacts of Wal-Mart in Ohio from 1985 through 2003. Using a panel of counties, and accounting for spatial autocorrelation in an instrumental variable model I estimate impact of Wal-Mart and Super-Centers on selected revenues and transfer payments. Among the findings is that the presence of a Wal-Mart increases local commercial property tax assessments resulting in collection increases of between 350,000 and350,000 and 1.3 million. There is also an 18–43% reduction in per capita EITC claims in a county. However, Medicaid expenditures experience growth which amount to roughly 16 additional cases attributable to a single Wal-Mart. The magnitude and statistical certainty of these findings, suggests that local fiscal intervention, either through incentives or a “Wal-Mart Tax” is unwarranted.

Keywords  Wal-Mart - Medicaid - fiscal - Ohio

JEL Classifications  H71 - R11 - R51


The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

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