Economic Way of Thinking
Las Vegas ballpark pitch revives debate over public funding for sports stadiums
A proposal to help finance a new ballpark for Major League Baseball's Athletics in Las Vegas has revived nationwide debates about public funding for private stadiums. And that has pitted Nevada’s powerful tourism industry and labor unions against some progressive groups, raising concerns about ceding tax revenue when services such as public schools are funded below the national average. Proponents say the proposal could create new jobs, increase the state’s general revenue and further diversify the city's casino and gaming-based economy. But skeptics warn of empty promises, citing growing evidence that minimal dollars generated from the new stadium would not otherwise be spent among nearby resorts and restaurants.
Why Nashville Should Rethink Its Multi-Billion Dollar East Bank Redevelopment Plan | Baker Elkins
The tech company Oracle has agreed to take on $175 million worth of infrastructure development in return for substantial tax breaks. However impressive that number may sound, it’s only pennies compared to the full price of the project.
The NFL and Tennessee Titans have also pledged to pay roughly $840 million to help cover the cost of a new stadium. While this is admittedly a good chunk of change, that still leaves well over a billion dollars to Nashville and the state of Tennessee.
Michigan business leaders: ‘We’re a below-average state’ with no quick fix | Bridge Michigan
The state needs to up its economic development game to compete among states that are growing, Business Leaders for Michigan says. Doing so will require setting a long-term education and business development plan.
Misaligned Incentives Plague Professional Drafts
Professional sports drafts are designed to promote parity and competitiveness among teams, with the worst-performing teams getting the top picks in the next season. However, this well-intentioned system has been plagued with misaligned incentives that have led to tanking and other forms of unsportsmanlike behavior. Recent events in the NBA and NFL drafts highlight these problems and their economic implications.
German monks create world's first powdered beer
A monastic brewery in East Germany says it's created the first powdered beer. Just add water, and it'll froth up, complete with a foamy head and full flavor. The result promises massive savings on transport, because it can be shipped at 10% of the weight.