Private demands for public capital Evidence from school bond referenda

• Published in: Journal of urban economics Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 610 - 638
• Main Authors: Balsdon, Ed, Brunner, Eric J, Rueben, Kim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-11-2003; Elsevier
• Series: Journal of Urban Economics
• Subjects: Agenda setting; Allgemein bildende Schule; Bonds; Economics; Economics of education; Education; Elastizität; Finanzierung; Infrastruktur; Investition; Investment; Kalifornien; Nachfrage; Preisniveau; Public infrastructure; School infrastructure investment; Schools; Schule; Strukturpolitik; Urban economics; Urban studies; Agenda setting; School infrastructure investment
• ISSN: 0094-1190; 1095-9068
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jue.2003.06.001

This paper develops a framework for estimating demand for school infrastructure investment that is financed through local bond referenda. Our framework takes explicit account of the irregular and discrete nature of local capital investment and the objective functions of local school boards. Our empirical model consists of a three-equation system composed of a proposed spending equation, a vote equation, and a selection equation. Estimated income and price elasticities of demand for school infrastructure are similar to those found in studies of
current school spending. We also find that school boards act like risk-averse, budget-maximizing agenda-setters.