Erin Lonoff and Shuprotim Bhaumik – Regional Economic Forecasting to Guide Local Decision-Making

[Slides]Regional Economic Forecasting to Guide Local Decision-Making – Erin Lonoff and Shuprotim Bhaumik, HR&A Advisors, Inc.

[Recording]Regional Economic Forecasting to Guide Local Decision-Making – Erin Lonoff and Shuprotim Bhaumik, HR&A Advisors, Inc.

Regional economic forecasting is an essential tool for municipalities, counties, and regions. With an understanding of baseline conditions and the potential impacts of major economic initiatives, policymakers and planners can make more informed decisions on infrastructure and public works investments, economic planning, and land use and zoning.

REMI cordially invites you to our webinar presentation on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 from 2 to 3 p.m. EST by guest speakers from HR&A Advisors, Inc. – Director Erin Lonoff and Partner Shuprotim Bhaumik – discussing an example of regional analysis.

The Southeast Minnesota League of Municipalities commissioned HR&A Advisors to evaluate this eight-county region, a predominantly rural area with Rochester and the growing Mayo Clinic located at the center.

HR&A completed an economic forecast to serve as a guide for the region’s 78 municipalities as they prepare for growth. This webinar will walk through how and why communities are conducting regional forecasts, and how HR&A modeled the most significant policy issues facing Southeast Minnesota.

Ted Egan – Taxing Big Business to Pay for Homeless Services in San Francisco

[Slides]Taxing Big Business to Pay for Homeless Services in San Francisco – Ted Egan, City and County of San Francisco

[Recording]Taxing Big Business to Pay for Homeless Services in San Francisco – Ted Egan, City and County of San Francisco

San Francisco voters approved a ballot measure in November to fund homelessness services by taxing the city’s largest businesses, though the plan still faces legal challenges.

REMI cordially invites you to our guest webinar presentation on Wednesday, January 9th from 2 to 3 p.m. EST by Ted Egan, Chief Economist for the City and County of San Francisco, who will provide an analysis of the plan’s potential economic impact.

The measure would impose a new gross receipts tax and dedicate the revenue to services such as housing, mental health services, shelters, and rental assistance. The Controller’s Office has estimated that between 300 and 400 local businesses would be affected by the tax. The projected $250 to $300 million in revenue from the new tax would thus represent a 28-33 percent increase in overall business tax revenues.

For this presentation, Mr. Egan will discuss the legislation’s estimated effects on employment and economic output in San Francisco. He will also review the methodologies behind the economic impact analysis.

Rod Motamedi – The Massachusetts Experience with Commercial Gaming Seven Years from Legalization

[Recording]The Massachusetts Experience with Commercial Gaming Seven Years from Legalization – Rod Motamedi, UMass Donahue Institute

[Slides]The Massachusetts Experience with Commercial Gaming Seven Years from Legalization – Rod Motamedi, UMass Donahue Institute

In November 2011, Massachusetts passed the Expanded Gaming Act allowing for up to three destination resort casinos and one slot parlor. Since that time, two casinos have opened, and the third one is on the way.

REMI cordially invites you to a guest webinar presentation on Wednesday, December 12th from 2 to 3 p.m. EST by Rod Motamedi, Research Manager at the UMass Donahue Institute, who will review the Commonwealth’s experience with casino gambling to date.

When state lawmakers legalized casino gambling, they also mandated a research agenda to evaluate the social and economic impacts of this change to the gambling and entertainment landscape of Massachusetts. For this presentation, Mr. Motamedi will review the results of the research so far and discuss where the research is headed in the future.