Reform During Crisis: The Transformation of California's Fiscal System During the Great Depression

B-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic History
Year: 1996
Volume: 56
Issue: 3
Pages: 657-678

Authors (3)

Hartley, James E. (not in RePEc) Sheffrin, Steven M. (Tulane University) Vasche, J. David (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

In the midst of the Great Depression, California engaged in a massive restructuring of its tax system, reducing reliance on the property tax and introducing sales and income taxes. Our analysis suggests that this restructuring, which included a voter referendum, was primarily driven by a desire to change the mix rather than the level of taxation. Nonetheless, by introducing new taxes that had a higher revenue elasticity than the existing taxes, California created a revenue system that allowed the rapid growth of spending to continue.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:cup:jechis:v:56:y:1996:i:03:p:657-678_01
Journal Field
Economic History
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-29