UMBC sports economist Dennis Coates appeared on NBC Nightly News on October 23, discussing the effects of a possible NBA season cancellation. Although a lost season would negatively impact related businesses, such as sports bars, some suggest keeping a sense of perspective. Compared to the possible negative economic impact of a lost NFL season—recently averted—Coates argues that a lost NBA season would be “a drop in the bucket. The industry is just too small.” NBC notes that both fans and local business continue to hope for a resolution.
In his latest Baltimore Sun column, UMBC political science professor Thomas Schaller explores the meteoric rise of Herman Cain as a GOP presidential candidate. Schaller argues, “his surprising showing actually tells us a lot more about the state of the national Republican Party” than about Cain himself. He suggests, “key segments of the Republican primary electorate desperately want an alternative to Mr. Romney,” who “presents himself as the candidate to fall in line behind, not fall in love with.” Read the full commentary to learn about Schaller’s take on Cain’s 9-9-9 plan and identification as a novice in government.
The Baltimore Sun reports that following a strong win in last month’s Democratic primary, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is meeting with each of her 40 Cabinet members “with an eye toward a possible shake-up of city leadership.” Such a move is not unusual, says Donald Norris, chair of public policy at UMBC, in the article. “This is a reasonable time to expect those kinds of things to begin happening,” Norris remarked, continuing, “She now has been elected on her own. She’s clearly going to be setting her own agenda and putting her own people in power.”
The economic impact of the 2011 Baltimore Grand Prix was “vastly smaller than the projections by the events promoter,” UMBC economics professor Dennis Coates asserts in a newly released study (pdf), coauthoed with Michael Friedman of the University of Maryland. They estimate attendee spending as closer to $25 million than the anticipated $70 million and argue, “The bottom line is that the Baltimore Grand Prix was not a game changing event.” After appearing on the front page of the Baltimore Sun and in the Baltimore Business Journal, the story was picked up by AP and printed in the Washington Post.… Continue Reading Dennis Coates, Economics, in the News
Maryland Congressmen Christopher Van Hollen and Roscoe G. Bartlett have met with Governor Martin O’Malley to request changes to the state’s redistricting proposal. The Baltimore Sun reports, “An analysis released by the Maryland Democratic Party shows that in making Bartlett’s district more Democratic, the map makes Van Hollen’s district significantly less so.” However, political analysts suggest Van Hollen will still likely be safe in the next election. Although State Sen. David Brinkely is considering a run against Van Hollen, Donald Norris, chair of public policy at UMBC, said, “I don’t think he’s in any jeopardy.” He continued, “If it is… Continue Reading Donald Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun
