With a PhD in economics, I have the training, tools, and experience at my disposal to conduct research studies in a wide range of areas including econometrics, regression, and data analytics.
An example of the research studies I have performed over the years is a study on including Chiropractic care under Missouri Medicaid coverage. We looked at the economics and the efficiency of having chiropractic coverage added. The study was presented in front of the Missouri legislature on two separate occasions and a bill was eventually passed which allowed chiropractic treatment to now be included under Missouri Medicaid in the state.
One of my specialties is the economic effects of taxation, in the context of legislative changes and legislative proposals. Analyzing tax rules changes, the impact of those changes on businesses, and the unanticipated impact on individuals is important because politicians make legislative changes and don’t always foresee the things that are effected by the end result.
With my tax background, I have been recruited to do tax policy studies. For example, should the Missouri corporate income tax be modified to come up with other approaches to measuring business income in Missouri. This required deep research into the revenue impact of various policy proposal changes.
Because there’s a point at which too much tax can actually damage a particular industry, government entities need to balance the need for revenue with the negative impact on businesses. Economic impact studies help decision makers see the many different sides to their legislation.
I have worked with the Missouri gaming industry to study the impact of tax rule changes which would affect the casino industry. Missouri Hotel Association funded a study to look at the impact of various hotel taxes on the tourism industry in the state, and in particular, in the city of St. Louis.