The Center for State and Local Finance at the Andrew Young School

03/02/2026

Final reminder: “Big IT, Big Risk: Auditing Major IT Infrastructure Projects” is coming up this Thursday, March 5 (1–2pm ET).

Join us for a practical discussion of how auditors can help public organizations manage risk and strengthen accountability on large-scale IT infrastructure initiatives—where governance, procurement, schedule, and cost issues can escalate quickly.

Panelists:
• Khalid Hamid (Inspector General, Turks and Caicos Islands)
• Amanda Noble, City Auditor (Atlanta, GA)
• Scott Frank, Director of Performance and IT Audit (Washington State Auditor’s Office)
Moderator: Yves Genest (Office of the Auditor General of Manitoba)

Register here: https://t.gsu.edu/3ZF5nJq

10/31/2025

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies co-hosted the 37th Annual Conference of the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM) in Atlanta, October 23–25, together with the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs. 🌍

Faculty, fellows, and researchers from the Public Finance Research Cluster (PFRC) contributed throughout the conference—presenting and chairing sessions on fiscal decentralization, tax reform, climate resilience, childcare subsidies, and the politics of budgeting.

The annual ABFM conference brings together scholars and practitioners to explore how collaborative budgeting and strong fiscal networks can advance effective government.

Read more: https://t.gsu.edu/4nuWziA

10/23/2025

Emeritus Faculty Spotlight: Roy Bahl

Founding Dean of the Andrew Young School and Regents’ Professor Emeritus of Economics, Dr. Roy Bahl is internationally recognized for pioneering work in fiscal decentralization and urban public finance. Over a six-decade career, he helped governments design stronger, fairer tax systems, build sustainable local revenues, and advance fiscal resilience.

As a scholar and institution builder, Dr. Bahl co-authored the landmark Urban Public Finance in Developing Countries and led Georgia State’s transformation into a global hub for public policy research and training. Since retirement, he continues to publish, advise, and lecture worldwide, most recently engaging in projects on property taxation and intergovernmental fiscal reform in South Africa, Taiwan, India, and the Philippines.

Learn more about his enduring impact: https://t.gsu.edu/4qmaNoH

10/16/2025

Emeritus Faculty Spotlight: Jorge Martinez-Vazquez

Regents’ Professor Emeritus of Economics Jorge Martinez-Vazquez, founding director of ICePP and former PFRC director, has advised more than 90 countries on fiscal decentralization, tax reform, and public finance.

In 2024, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Málaga and was honored with an international conference at Georgia State celebrating his global contributions to fiscal policy. He continues to publish, speak, and advise governments worldwide.

Learn more about his ongoing work: https://t.gsu.edu/47g5MW6

10/09/2025

Emeritus Faculty Spotlight: David Sjoquist

Former Director of the Fiscal Research Center and longtime leader in Georgia’s policy community, Professor Emeritus David Sjoquist continues to advance public finance research and mentorship at the Public Finance Research Cluster.

His recent work examines job creation tax credits, racial residential segregation in Atlanta, and fiscal policies shaping Georgia’s economic future. He is also co-leading a national project on the future of local government finance.

Learn more about his ongoing contributions: https://t.gsu.edu/4mRWiG8

10/02/2025

Emeritus Faculty Spotlight: Bart Hildreth

Professor Bart Hildreth’s career has spanned scholarship and leadership in subnational finance, municipal securities, and fiscal policy. He twice served as Dean (including at AYSPS), has advised countless governments and national councils, and was editor-in-chief of the Municipal Finance Journal for 35 years.

His honors include both the Aaron B. Wildavsky and Paul Posner lifetime achievement awards—recognizing his unparalleled impact in public budgeting and finance.

He remains an active contributor to the field, continuing to publish research, provide editorial leadership, and offer expert insight on municipal securities and state and local finance.

Learn more: https://t.gsu.edu/4nVCUc9

09/25/2025

This week’s emeritus spotlight features Professor Andrew Feltenstein.

With a career advising the IMF, World Bank, and other global institutions, his research has spanned continents and shaped debates in public finance and development economics. His recent projects include a new book on computable general equilibrium modeling and research on trade dynamics. He also continues to mentor graduate students and contribute to PFRC collaborations.

Read his full profile: https://t.gsu.edu/4nnUvK2

Emeritus - Andrew FeltensteinEmeritus - Andrew Feltenstein September 16, 2025 The Work Continues: Emeritus Engagement in Public FinanceTranslating a Life's Work into Future Practice by Wendy Zhang and Alex Hathaway Dr. Andrew Feltenstein is professor emeritus of economics whose work spans public eco...

09/18/2025

At the Andrew Young School’s Public Finance Research Cluster, emeritus professors may be retired, but their work continues.

They remain active in research, advising and mentorship, helping shape public finance practice today while preparing tomorrow’s leaders.

This week we begin a series featuring their ongoing contributions. Start with the introduction: https://t.gsu.edu/42tXkRe

The Work Continues: Emeritus Engagement in Public FinanceThe Work Continues: Emeritus Engagement in Public Finance September 17, 2025 The Work Continues: Emeritus Engagement in Public FinanceTranslating a Life's Work into Future Practice by Wendy Zhang and Alex Hathaway At the Andrew Young School of...

03/24/2025

Peter Bluestone, Associate Director of Domestic Programs at the Public Finance Research Cluster, will join the Pew Charitable Trusts next week for a virtual demonstration of how the synthetic control method of analysis can serve as a useful tool for evaluating tax incentive program effectiveness, including lessons learned from our recent evaluation of Georgia’s film tax credit.

📅 Date: Wednesday, March 26 at 2:30 PM ET
🔗 Register Here: https://t.gsu.edu/4iO06H0

03/11/2025

📢 Call for Proposals: 2025 ABFM Annual Research Conference

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia’s School of Public & International Affairs are proud to host the 37th Annual Research Conference of the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM) on October 23–25, 2025, at the Loudermilk Conference Center in Atlanta, GA.

This year’s theme, "Collaborative Budgeting: Fiscal Relationships and Financial Networks to Advance Government Work," highlights key issues in public finance, including:
✅ Fiscal relationships across government levels
✅ Grants, contracts, and intergovernmental funding
✅ Networked public service delivery
✅ Collaborative fiscal responses to crises

🔹 Proposal Deadline: May 1, 2025
🔹 Submit your proposal here: https://t.gsu.edu/3QXvLJT

Join leading scholars and practitioners in public finance as we discuss research that shapes the future of budgeting and financial management. Don’t miss this opportunity—submit today!

01/21/2025

🌟 Spring Registration is Now Open for AYS Microcredentials!

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies is offering two incredible microcredential opportunities this spring:

🎨 MOOC in Data Visualization
Free, 15-week online course with weekly assignments & projects
Includes support from a Teaching Assistant
Registration closes January 24, 2025

🗺️ GIS Mapping Workshop Series
Three in-person, full-day workshops ($50/session)
Led by Dr. Suresh Neupane from PMAP
Dates: Feb 28, Mar 28, Apr 25, 2025

📚 Both pathways can count as credit for prior learning toward the PMAP graduate certificate in Policy Analytics.

✨ Ready to upskill? Register today: https://t.gsu.edu/40p2jB1
📩 Have questions? Email us at [email protected] or fill out the interest form:https://t.gsu.edu/3CgPArX

Don't miss this opportunity to grow your expertise! 🚀

09/16/2024

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies invites our D.C alumni to our Alumni Social in Washington, D.C.

The evening will provide an opportunity to build your network, reconnect with friends and colleagues, and celebrate your achievements. You will meet the new dean of the Andrew Young School, Dr. Thomas Vicino, and other faculty and staff. 

When: Monday, September 16, 2024 | 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 
Where: Cuba Libre, 801 9th St NW Suite A, Washington, DC 20001
 
REGISTER HERE: 👇 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-ays-alumni-social-dc-tickets-1004625270227?aff=oddtdtcreator