URB 620 - Urban Public Finance (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: None
This course explores theories, principles, practices, and problems of public financing in the context of urban economics. Focusing on the City of New York and its budget process, students identify and analyze sources of public revenue, including taxation, as well as types of public expenditures and how they are administered. In studying the budget process, students examine the factors that determine how public funds are allocated, including the impact of national socio-economic policy, problems of social and economic inequality, the role of state and local governments, the political actors and the influence of various constituencies and interest groups. During the term, each student will make a class presentation, utilizing a case study from recent New York City history that illustrates a controversial or problematical issue in public financing or public budgeting. The student’s case study will be the basis for a final paper, analyzing the issues in debate and arguing for a resolution based on sound principles of public financing.