Fiscal stress is an important and recurring problem that states face. Research to date on state fiscal stress involves, predominantly, cross-sectional and case study analyses and does not address the effectiveness of state responses. Many of these studies use different definitions and measures of fiscal stress compounding the difficulty of comparing fiscal stress findings. The present research effort adds to the fiscal stress literature by (1) clarifying the meaning of fiscal stress in the state context, (2) developing a measure of fiscal stress that operationalizes this meaning and is comparable across units, and 3) using this measure analyzes patterns in and the effectiveness of state responses. Fiscal stress is measured using four indexes: budget, cash, long-run, service-level. Eleven financial indicators, calculated using data from state Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs), are used to create these indexes for all fifty states for the years 2002-2009. Descriptive analysis compares state fiscal stress levels (grouped into low, moderate, and high fiscal stress by cluster analysis) to state economic growth rates, state responses, and institutional factors yielding several findings. First, states do not use an incremental or punctuated equilibrium strategy in responding to fiscal stress; nor do their responses follow the pattern predicted by Cutback Management theory. Second, institutional factors affect both the levels of fiscal stress and state responses to fiscal stress. Regression analysis supports and extends these findings. First, short-term responses of expenditure cuts, tax increases, and rainy day fund use do not affect state fiscal stress levels. Second, these responses have long-term effects on fiscal stress levels. A major implication of this research is that there is very little states can do in the short-term to reduce fiscal stress. However, by balancing expenditures and revenues states can set themselves up to weather the next economic downturn with lower levels of fiscal stress.

Orientador: Leandro Silva Medrano / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T09:55:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Assumpcao_MarinadeCamargo_D.pdf: 17990548 bytes, checksum: 842281fec37ee83b2ff2f09e30b41387 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: A primeira década do século XXI presenciou grandes avanços em relação à reforma urbana no Brasil, tais como a formulação de programas abrangentes direcionados à habitação de interesse social; a criação de novos instrumentos jurídicos e institucionais de suporte às cidades; a ampliação das políticas públicas direcionadas a minimizar as desigualdades sociais e territoriais; o incentivo à participação da sociedade junto aos interlocutores das políticas urbanas, e inéditos investimentos destinados à moradia popular e à infraestrutura. Entretanto, poucos foram os benefícios à qualidade urbana das cidades brasileiras, principalmente nas áreas destinadas às habitações populares. Um dos principais instrumentos de estímulo à inovação e à evolução qualitativa no campo da arquitetura e do urbanismo são os concursos de projeto. O concurso é uma oportunidade para os profissionais realizarem seus trabalhos sem restrições ou interferências do setor público ou do mercado, o que deveria possibilitar avanços significativos à disciplina, tanto em seus procedimentos práticos quanto teóricos. Destarte, o objetivo desta tese de doutorado é verificar, em exemplos nacionais recentes, a relação entre concursos de arquitetura e a evolução das habitações de interesse social construídas. Para tanto, o Concurso "Prêmio Caixa IAB", dos anos de 2004, 2006 e 2008/2009, foi investigado como estudo de caso. A hipótese levantada é que os resultados dos projetos vencedores dos concursos apresentam soluções inovadoras em relação à produção do campo habitacional brasileiro, entretanto, sem lugar no atual sistema nacional de produção. As discussões provenientes das análises realizadas e o confronto com a hipótese central enunciada fundamentam as conclusões finais deste trabalho e devem constituir, à prática projetiva ou à teoria, fundamentos que contribuam com a qualidade da produção contemporânea / Abstract: The first decade of the 21st century witnessed great developments in urban reform in Brazil, such as the formulation of a wide range of programs focused on social housing; the creation of new legal and institutional tools to support cities; the expansion of public policies to minimize social and territorial disparities; the incentives to society's participation together with the interlocutors of urban policies, and unheard of investments destined to popular housing and infrastructure. However, there were few benefits to the urban quality of Brazilian cities, mainly to the areas assigned to popular housing. One of the main tools to foster innovation and qualitative development in the field of architecture and urbanism is the project contest. The contest is an opportunity for professionals to develop their work with no restriction or interference from the public sector or market, which would enable significant advances to the discipline, in its practical procedures as well as theoretical. Thus, the objective of this doctorate thesis is to verify, with recent domestic examples, the relation between architecture contests and the development of already built social housing. For that, the contests "Caixa IAB Award" from 2004, 2006, and 2008/2009, were investigated as case studies. The hypothesis arisen is that the results of winning projects show innovative solutions to the production of the Brazilian housing field despite having no place in the present domestic production system. The discussions originated from analyses performed and the comparison with the central hypothesis enacted base the final conclusions of this work and should establish, to the projective practice as well as the theory, principles that contribute to the quality of contemporary production / Doutorado / Arquitetura, Tecnologia e Cidade / Doutora em Arquitetura, Tecnologia e Cidade

The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not the South African public procurement regime, within the framework set out in section 217(1) of the Constitution 1996, complies with the internationally accepted objectives or principles of public procurement, as contained in the UNCITRAL Model Law on the Procurement of Goods, Construction and Services (1994) and the World Trade Organisation‟s Plurilateral Government Procurement Agreement, and how these objectives are balanced with the need for the government‟s socio-economic policies. The main features of the public procurement reforms after South Africa became a constitutional state are the provision of constitutional principles applicable to public procurement; the creation of a single national legislative framework in terms of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 and the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003, applicable to organs of state in the national, provincial and local spheres of government; and the creation of a supply chain management function that is fully integrated with the financial management processes in government, in which decisions on public procurement are decentralised to the procuring entities. The following broad principles applicable to public procurement, which are common to the Model Law and the GPA, were identified: (a) Economy; (b) Competitiveness; (c) Effectiveness; (d) Transparency; (e) The combating of abuse; (f) The avoidance of risk; (g) Accountability; (h) Fairness and equitability; and (i) Integrity. / Private Law / LL.D.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of Senate Bill 351 on public school finance equity in Texas and to provide information to those concerned with the financing of schools in this state. Data provided by the Texas Education Agency were used to determine differences in expenditures per student and local tax rates before and after the implementation of Senate Bill 351.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering Johannesburg 2015 / Regardless of the strategic role that mining plays in South Africa‟s economic growth and development, there are perceptions that mining benefits are still enjoyed by a few elite individuals. This is partly due to high expectations from lower level workers in the sector and communities where mining takes place. Failures in the implementation of some of the policies that are social in nature are making people question the wisdom of the current mining legislation, the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA). The main question of this research paper is whether the MPRDA, in its current form, is a suitable mining legislative framework that can usher a better dispensation for all or whether there is a need to overhaul it in order to deliver the desired end results that are expected by the majority of South Africans. It is against this background that this research was undertaken, by studying best practice in other mining jurisdictions and conducting a survey of those involved in the South African mining sector. From the research and surveys, recommendations are proposed on what amendments could be effected on the MPRDA to make the South African mining sector more attractive and simultaneously, meet the citizens‟ expectations.

A presente tese de doutorado analisa, de forma crítica, como as receitas de recursos naturais devem ser arrecadadas, distribuídas aos entes federativos e aplicadas no Direito Financeiro Brasileiro. Para tanto, parte-se do exame dos contornos econômicos e políticos da exploração de recursos naturais, apresentando breve histórico sobre a cobrança de royalties no estrangeiro, da evolução da legislação brasileira sobre as compensações financeiras, discutindo então a natureza jurídica destas receitas públicas no direito pátrio. Com base nessas premissas, apresentam-se considerações gerais sobre a concentração geográfica de recursos naturais e o dilema da repartição de receitas provenientes da exploração destes recursos nas federações, procedendo-se então ao estudo do modelo de repartição federativa de receitas de compensações financeiras adotado pelo Brasil. Reconhecendo-se a constante evolução deste modelo e apontando-se suas virtudes e seus defeitos, desenvolve-se uma avaliação de proposições normativas de mudanças dos critérios atualmente adotados, especialmente no que diz respeito à equalização fiscal enquanto elemento de promoção de desenvolvimento subnacional e redução das desigualdades inter-regionais e intrarregionais, bem como de coesão política nacional. Finalmente, são discutidos os aspectos teóricos e práticos da aplicação das receitas oriundas da exploração de recursos naturais, bem como analisada a prática brasileira. Com fundamento nesta análise, as vinculações legais das receitas de recursos naturais e a constituição de fundos públicos financiados por estas receitas são avaliadas no contexto brasileiro. As conclusões preliminares desses pontos informam, então, o estudo sobre o papel relevante do controle de contas, da fiscalização e da transparência fiscal na promoção da eficiência e da justiça do gasto público no contexto das receitas de recursos naturais. / This doctoral thesis presents a critical analysis of the collection, intergovernmental distribution and expenditure of natural resource revenues under Brazilian Public Finance law. In order to provide a comprehensive discussion of such proposition, the thesis first examines the economic and political aspects of the natural resources industry, then presents a brief historical overview of natural resources royalties under both comparative and Brazilian law and continues with an analysis of the legal status of royalties in Brazil. Building on such premises, the thesis proceeds with general remarks on the geographical concentration of natural resources in federal countries and on decentralization arrangements for royalties, as well an on the Brazilian revenue sharing instruments. Acknowledging the continuous evolution of these instruments and evaluating their costs and benefits, a discussion on alternative revenue sharing arrangements is presented, especially regarding the promotion of equalizing goals and political cohesion among subnational units of governments in Brazil. Finally, the thesis discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of public expenditures of royalty revenues, presenting an analysis of the Brazilian praxis. Building on this analysis, an evaluation of revenue earmarking procedures and natural resources funds is presented. The preliminary conclusions therein enable a discussion of accountability, public auditing and fiscal transparency in the context of natural resources revenue expenditures.

A presente tese de doutorado analisa, de forma crítica, como as receitas de recursos naturais devem ser arrecadadas, distribuídas aos entes federativos e aplicadas no Direito Financeiro Brasileiro. Para tanto, parte-se do exame dos contornos econômicos e políticos da exploração de recursos naturais, apresentando breve histórico sobre a cobrança de royalties no estrangeiro, da evolução da legislação brasileira sobre as compensações financeiras, discutindo então a natureza jurídica destas receitas públicas no direito pátrio. Com base nessas premissas, apresentam-se considerações gerais sobre a concentração geográfica de recursos naturais e o dilema da repartição de receitas provenientes da exploração destes recursos nas federações, procedendo-se então ao estudo do modelo de repartição federativa de receitas de compensações financeiras adotado pelo Brasil. Reconhecendo-se a constante evolução deste modelo e apontando-se suas virtudes e seus defeitos, desenvolve-se uma avaliação de proposições normativas de mudanças dos critérios atualmente adotados, especialmente no que diz respeito à equalização fiscal enquanto elemento de promoção de desenvolvimento subnacional e redução das desigualdades inter-regionais e intrarregionais, bem como de coesão política nacional. Finalmente, são discutidos os aspectos teóricos e práticos da aplicação das receitas oriundas da exploração de recursos naturais, bem como analisada a prática brasileira. Com fundamento nesta análise, as vinculações legais das receitas de recursos naturais e a constituição de fundos públicos financiados por estas receitas são avaliadas no contexto brasileiro. As conclusões preliminares desses pontos informam, então, o estudo sobre o papel relevante do controle de contas, da fiscalização e da transparência fiscal na promoção da eficiência e da justiça do gasto público no contexto das receitas de recursos naturais. / This doctoral thesis presents a critical analysis of the collection, intergovernmental distribution and expenditure of natural resource revenues under Brazilian Public Finance law. In order to provide a comprehensive discussion of such proposition, the thesis first examines the economic and political aspects of the natural resources industry, then presents a brief historical overview of natural resources royalties under both comparative and Brazilian law and continues with an analysis of the legal status of royalties in Brazil. Building on such premises, the thesis proceeds with general remarks on the geographical concentration of natural resources in federal countries and on decentralization arrangements for royalties, as well an on the Brazilian revenue sharing instruments. Acknowledging the continuous evolution of these instruments and evaluating their costs and benefits, a discussion on alternative revenue sharing arrangements is presented, especially regarding the promotion of equalizing goals and political cohesion among subnational units of governments in Brazil. Finally, the thesis discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of public expenditures of royalty revenues, presenting an analysis of the Brazilian praxis. Building on this analysis, an evaluation of revenue earmarking procedures and natural resources funds is presented. The preliminary conclusions therein enable a discussion of accountability, public auditing and fiscal transparency in the context of natural resources revenue expenditures.

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / In 1994 the South African democratically elected government inherited one of the most inequitable access to basic service between rural and urban communities. Rural people used to live without access to basic services such as water, electricity, roads and sanitation facilities. South African government established the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Framework as the national Strategic Plan to outline the extent of basic infrastructure backlogs and to come up with strategies to improve basic service provision to the poor citizens. The Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) is a municipal infrastructure funding which combines all the existing capital grants for municipal infrastructure into a single consolidated grant. MIG is aimed at assisting the poor to gain access to infrastructure. MIG funding can only be used for infrastructure for basic services. Polokwane local municipality and Blouberg local municipality are the beneficiaries of MIG. The purpose of the study was to investigate the causes of unspent Municipal Infrastructure Grants in Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities. An extensive literature review has been undertaken to gather information regarding unspent Municipal Infrastructure Grants in the two municipalities in the Capricorn District; Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities. The study provides an investigation on how Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities monitor the Municipal Infrastructure funding. The study further investigate the capacity of the municipalities to implement MIG, and whether these municipalities have the capacity to effectively utilise the MIG for efficient and effective service delivery. The researcher utilised a qualitative approach to collect data through interview schedule. A satisfactory response rate of 98% was obtained. The results indicated that Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities are capacitated to implement and to monitor MIG. However, the municipalities often spend less than the budgeted MIG, as a result progress in the access to basic services is hindered. The failure to adequately spend the MIG by these municipalities is due to the fact that there is poor planning and a lot of political interference in the Supply Chain Management processes. The study recommended that managers should do proper planning beforehand, avoid late appointment of service providers and make references on the service providers they appoint to avoid disputes from members of the community. The study further recommended that Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities should do proper consultation of the project, budget accordingly, and appoint companies that will produce positive end results with value for money. The study recommended that political office bearers should not interfere in the supply chain management processes

Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / In 1994 the South African democratically elected government inherited one of the most inequitable access to basic service between rural and urban communities. Rural people used to live without access to basic services such as water, electricity, roads and sanitation facilities. South African government established the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Framework as the national Strategic Plan to outline the extent of basic infrastructure backlogs and to come up with strategies to improve basic service provision to the poor citizens. The Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) is a municipal infrastructure funding which combines all the existing capital grants for municipal infrastructure into a single consolidated grant. MIG is aimed at assisting the poor to gain access to infrastructure. MIG funding can only be used for infrastructure for basic services. Polokwane local municipality and Blouberg local municipality are the beneficiaries of MIG. The purpose of the study was to investigate the causes of unspent Municipal Infrastructure Grants in Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities. An extensive literature review has been undertaken to gather information regarding unspent Municipal Infrastructure Grants in the two municipalities in the Capricorn District; Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities. The study provides an investigation on how Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities monitor the Municipal Infrastructure funding. The study further investigate the capacity of the municipalities to implement MIG, and whether these municipalities have the capacity to effectively utilise the MIG for efficient and effective service delivery. The researcher utilised a qualitative approach to collect data through interview schedule. A satisfactory response rate of 98% was obtained. The results indicated that Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities are capacitated to implement and to monitor MIG. However, the municipalities often spend less than the budgeted MIG, as a result progress in the access to basic services is hindered. The failure to adequately spend the MIG by these municipalities is due to the fact that there is poor planning and a lot of political interference in the Supply Chain Management processes. The study recommended that managers should do proper planning beforehand, avoid late appointment of service providers and make references on the service providers they appoint to avoid disputes from members of the community. The study further recommended that Polokwane and Blouberg local municipalities should do proper consultation of the project, budget accordingly, and appoint companies that will produce positive end results with value for money. The study recommended that political office bearers should not interfere in the supply chain management processes.

Thesis (LLM. (Labour Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / The study will analyse section 37C of the Pension Funds Act, 24 of 1956. This section limits the deceased’s freedom of testate by placing the death benefits and the control of the board of trustees who are tasked to distribute such benefits equitably among the dependants and nominees of the deceased. Section 37C of the Act was enacted to protect dependency by ensuring that the dependants of the deceased are not left in destitute. In order to achieve this, three duties are placed on the board of trustees namely, to identify the dependants and nominees of the deceased member; to effect an equitable distribution of the benefit among the beneficiaries; and to determine an appropriate mode of payment. This section sees to all the interest of the dependants without discriminating consequently there are three classes of dependants that are created under section 37C namely; legal dependants, non-legal dependants, and future dependants.