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Allen C. Kelley, a James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of Economics, died Dec. 9 at the age of 80. Kelley was a prominent leader in the profession, and throughout his nearly 50 years as an economist — 38 of which were spent at Duke University — Kelley’s research and writing helped to transform the then-emerging fields of development economics and economic demography. “In the 1970s, the field of development economics had been transformed by a small group who developed the first computational general equilibrium (CGE)… read more about In Memoriam: Prominent Economist Allen C. Kelley Dies at Age 80 »

The White House Council of Economic Advisors predicts that corporate tax cuts will increase average household incomes; however, Professor Juan Carlos Suárez Serrato said that when corporate taxes are cut, "more than half of the benefit has gone to owners." read more about Supercharger or Super Wealth-Shifter? Few Promises for Wage Growth as Tax Bills Advance »

During the recent federal tax debate, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said, "We have to do for the nation what we did for North Carolina because it worked." However, Professor Juan Carlos Suárez Serrato said North Carolina is not outpacing its neighbors in any distinguishable way. read more about Republicans, Democrats Point to N.C. — for Different Reasons — in Federal Tax Debate »

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said on Nov. 29 that the Senate's tax proposal will help most Americans who earn less than $70,000 a year. Professor Juan Carlos Suárez Serrato gives insight into how North Carolinians could be impacted by the elimination of state and local tax deductions. read more about NC Sen. Tillis Says Play Won't Raise Taxes on Americans Earning $30K - $70K a Year »

At a Duke Financial Economics Center (DFE) Lunch & Learn on Nov. 10, host Louis-Vincent Gave (B.A. ’96) covered a wide range of topics, from his take on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s second-term priorities to tax reform and the rise of populism in the United States. However, the main theme he stressed to the small group of sophomores and juniors was more personal. “If I can leave you with one message today, it would be: Get to know yourself; do lots of introspection.” Gave, who studied economics, history, and Chinese… read more about DFE Lunch & Learn Series Presents Opportunities for Students and Alumni in Finance to Learn, Connect »

Zhongxia Jin, the IMF executive director for China, discussed the country's financial development in recent years as part of the Rethinking Development Seminar Series. Lin Zhao, a second-year Duke Economics master's student and Chinese native, offered his thoughts on the event. read more about IMF Executive Director Talks Chinese Financial Sector, Renminbi »

In 2017 Duke welcomed more than 1,500 new international students representing 109 countries of primary citizenship. These undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are among the largest and most diverse groups the university has ever welcomed in a single year. read more about Duke's International Student Population Continues to Grow and Diversify »

The latest issue of RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, co-edited by Professor Philip J. Cook, offers new empirical research on the underground gun market that supplies firearms to criminals. read more about New Evidence Shows That Regulating Underground Gun Market is Crucial for Reducing Gun Violence »

Proponents and skeptics debated the value of charter schools in North Carolina at a forum on Monday. Five panelists, including Professor Emerita Helen Ladd, took the stage to offer their expertise. "I am not in favor of competition in the education sector," Ladd said. read more about Should Schools With 'Fs' Be Closed? 5 Disagreements at Debate on NC Charter Schools »

To say that alumna Norma Padrón (MAE ’08) is passionate about health is an understatement. Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, Padrón witnessed firsthand how difficult it was for people to get access to healthcare. McAllen, Texas, where she was born, is one of the most expensive healthcare markets in the country, with the lowest income per capita yet the highest expenditures in healthcare, according to a 2009 article in The New Yorker. “It’s a very poor area, and it was salient that healthcare was unaffordable. It was… read more about Alumni Spotlight: Norma Padrón (MAE '08) »

A new White House report claims that cutting corporate taxes by 15 percent would boost the average household income, contradicting many economists who say that doing so would mostly help shareholders. Professor Juan Carlos Suárez Serrato comments on the report.   read more about Cutting Corporate Taxes to 20% Would Boost Workers’ Income, White House Says »

The WSJ/THE College Rankings report lists Duke among top five schools that "did extremely well in the two areas that carry the most weight in the rankings: student outcomes and academic resources." Duke tied with Harvard University for the top spot in outcomes, which evaluates graduation rate, reputation, and student financial outcomes. read more about The Colleges Whose Graduates Do Best Financially »