Zach Liscow
@zliscow.bsky.social
Economist & lawyer. Professor at Yale Law School: economic and tax policy, infrastructure costs. Formerly OMB Chief Economist. https://law.yale.edu/zachary-liscow
Pinned
Zach Liscow
@zliscow.bsky.social
· Sep 12
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Nice story on a new course I'm teaching on why state & local governments don't work as well as they could - and what can be done, using Connecticut as a case study. We talk about state capacity, proceduralism, participation, politics, abundance, etc.
law.yale.edu/yls-today/ne...
law.yale.edu/yls-today/ne...
Students Take a Deep Dive into Connecticut Policymaking
A new course taught by Professor Zachary Liscow uses Connecticut as a case study for understanding how state government can work more effectively.
law.yale.edu
November 6, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Nice story on a new course I'm teaching on why state & local governments don't work as well as they could - and what can be done, using Connecticut as a case study. We talk about state capacity, proceduralism, participation, politics, abundance, etc.
law.yale.edu/yls-today/ne...
law.yale.edu/yls-today/ne...
Reposted by Zach Liscow
We know state capacity works for roads. So why not apply these lessons to rail? #JustTransitionForCaltrans
Great piece by @davidzipper.bsky.social in @bloomberg.com on my work with Slattery & Nober on state capacity challenges building infrastructure -- and how good government workers can pay for themselves many times over.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
October 23, 2025 at 8:54 PM
We know state capacity works for roads. So why not apply these lessons to rail? #JustTransitionForCaltrans
Great piece by @davidzipper.bsky.social in @bloomberg.com on my work with Slattery & Nober on state capacity challenges building infrastructure -- and how good government workers can pay for themselves many times over.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
October 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Great piece by @davidzipper.bsky.social in @bloomberg.com on my work with Slattery & Nober on state capacity challenges building infrastructure -- and how good government workers can pay for themselves many times over.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Zach Liscow
US highway spending is a mess.
Yale prof @zliscow.bsky.social & colleagues found that South Carolina’s DOT spends $375,500 repaving a mile of highway – more than twice as much as North Carolina.
In @bloomberg.com, I spoke with Liscow about the wild inefficiencies of state DOTs.
Yale prof @zliscow.bsky.social & colleagues found that South Carolina’s DOT spends $375,500 repaving a mile of highway – more than twice as much as North Carolina.
In @bloomberg.com, I spoke with Liscow about the wild inefficiencies of state DOTs.
American Roads Are Paved With Inefficiency
Why do US highway projects cost so much? A researcher finds some surprising sources of infrastructure inflation, and points to ways to make road work more affordable.
www.bloomberg.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:07 PM
US highway spending is a mess.
Yale prof @zliscow.bsky.social & colleagues found that South Carolina’s DOT spends $375,500 repaving a mile of highway – more than twice as much as North Carolina.
In @bloomberg.com, I spoke with Liscow about the wild inefficiencies of state DOTs.
Yale prof @zliscow.bsky.social & colleagues found that South Carolina’s DOT spends $375,500 repaving a mile of highway – more than twice as much as North Carolina.
In @bloomberg.com, I spoke with Liscow about the wild inefficiencies of state DOTs.
Reposted by Zach Liscow
Connecticut is going to spend $1 billion on a moveable bridge to serve *one* boat that goes up and down the river.
The Army Corps of Engineers was inflexible on this issue despite the cost bloat. Should be a go to example for “marble cake federalism.”
By @zliscow.bsky.social interviewed by Ruiz
The Army Corps of Engineers was inflexible on this issue despite the cost bloat. Should be a go to example for “marble cake federalism.”
By @zliscow.bsky.social interviewed by Ruiz
September 28, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Connecticut is going to spend $1 billion on a moveable bridge to serve *one* boat that goes up and down the river.
The Army Corps of Engineers was inflexible on this issue despite the cost bloat. Should be a go to example for “marble cake federalism.”
By @zliscow.bsky.social interviewed by Ruiz
The Army Corps of Engineers was inflexible on this issue despite the cost bloat. Should be a go to example for “marble cake federalism.”
By @zliscow.bsky.social interviewed by Ruiz
Reposted by Zach Liscow
On Sep 24 (Wednesday), Ed Fox (Michigan), Zach Liscow (Yale) and Michael Love (Columbia), will present the draft paper, “Corporate vs. Pass Through Taxation: the Role of Economic Rents and Legibility”, at the Mizzou Law Tax Policy Colloquium, from 2:00 to 3:15 pm Central Time. 1/
September 19, 2025 at 5:34 PM
On Sep 24 (Wednesday), Ed Fox (Michigan), Zach Liscow (Yale) and Michael Love (Columbia), will present the draft paper, “Corporate vs. Pass Through Taxation: the Role of Economic Rents and Legibility”, at the Mizzou Law Tax Policy Colloquium, from 2:00 to 3:15 pm Central Time. 1/
🚨New paper! I propose specific actions to reform permitting, balancing a reduction in back-end litigation with more robust and inclusive front-end planning, preserving core values while adapting to modern needs.
www.brookings.edu/articles/ref...
www.brookings.edu/articles/ref...
Reforming permitting to build infrastructure | Brookings
This paper proposes legislative actions to reform environmental policy regulations which made building U.S. infrastructure expensive and slow.
www.brookings.edu
September 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM
🚨New paper! I propose specific actions to reform permitting, balancing a reduction in back-end litigation with more robust and inclusive front-end planning, preserving core values while adapting to modern needs.
www.brookings.edu/articles/ref...
www.brookings.edu/articles/ref...
Reposted by Zach Liscow
The US has a lot of lawyers per capita, and unsurprisingly it has a lot of lawsuits per capita, which probably matters for our ability to build things. Info by way of @zliscow.bsky.social
pubs.aeaweb.org/doi/pdfplus/...
pubs.aeaweb.org/doi/pdfplus/...
September 18, 2025 at 2:52 AM
The US has a lot of lawyers per capita, and unsurprisingly it has a lot of lawsuits per capita, which probably matters for our ability to build things. Info by way of @zliscow.bsky.social
pubs.aeaweb.org/doi/pdfplus/...
pubs.aeaweb.org/doi/pdfplus/...
I had a great time talking with Santi Ruiz @ifp.bsky.social about how to reduce infrastructure costs. Here's the podcast.
www.statecraft.pub/p/what-is-am...
www.statecraft.pub/p/what-is-am...
What is America’s Infrastructure Cost Problem?
“I'm part of the problem”
www.statecraft.pub
September 17, 2025 at 1:09 PM
I had a great time talking with Santi Ruiz @ifp.bsky.social about how to reduce infrastructure costs. Here's the podcast.
www.statecraft.pub/p/what-is-am...
www.statecraft.pub/p/what-is-am...
Reposted by Zach Liscow
Fantastic talk on cutting transit construction costs and getting lots more great transit with @zliscow.bsky.social, @stephanie-pollack.bsky.social and @egoldwyn.bsky.social at @yimbytown.bsky.social.
September 16, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Fantastic talk on cutting transit construction costs and getting lots more great transit with @zliscow.bsky.social, @stephanie-pollack.bsky.social and @egoldwyn.bsky.social at @yimbytown.bsky.social.
Reposted by Zach Liscow
Check out our conversation on Densely Speaking with Zach about this research from earlier this year. @gregshill.com
open.spotify.com/episode/6HcN...
open.spotify.com/episode/6HcN...
September 16, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Check out our conversation on Densely Speaking with Zach about this research from earlier this year. @gregshill.com
open.spotify.com/episode/6HcN...
open.spotify.com/episode/6HcN...
Reposted by Zach Liscow
This is a really important paper. American infrastructure is expensive because we outsourced the capacity design (or perhaps even bid) effectively.
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
September 12, 2025 at 9:58 PM
This is a really important paper. American infrastructure is expensive because we outsourced the capacity design (or perhaps even bid) effectively.
Reposted by Zach Liscow
The implication of the outsourcing of state capacity loom large over this paper. The results are clear but it’s more impactful if you read between the lines
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
September 12, 2025 at 10:06 PM
The implication of the outsourcing of state capacity loom large over this paper. The results are clear but it’s more impactful if you read between the lines
Reposted by Zach Liscow
Investing in competence pays off, another result "cost cutting" conservatives don't understand
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
September 13, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Investing in competence pays off, another result "cost cutting" conservatives don't understand
Reposted by Zach Liscow
Hello!
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
September 12, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Hello!
Reposted by Zach Liscow
Tl;dr Engineers print money
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
September 12, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Tl;dr Engineers print money
Reposted by Zach Liscow
Wow, this is fantastic.
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
September 12, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Wow, this is fantastic.
Reposted by Zach Liscow
Rhetorical question: What do we think is going to result from the culling of experienced engineers (and other subject matter experts) at the Fed level too?
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
September 12, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Rhetorical question: What do we think is going to result from the culling of experienced engineers (and other subject matter experts) at the Fed level too?
Reposted by Zach Liscow
Key point for those of us trying to figure out ST3 costs. State capacity is a key piece of the puzzle.
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
September 12, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Key point for those of us trying to figure out ST3 costs. State capacity is a key piece of the puzzle.
Reposted by Zach Liscow
Probably true in Canada and for more than just highways I would reckon
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
September 12, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Probably true in Canada and for more than just highways I would reckon
Reposted by Zach Liscow
Hmmm, maybe we should hire in-house civil engineers instead of relying on massive multinational consulting firms to do our work for us?
Imagine that!
Imagine that!
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
September 12, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Hmmm, maybe we should hire in-house civil engineers instead of relying on massive multinational consulting firms to do our work for us?
Imagine that!
Imagine that!
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
September 12, 2025 at 1:43 PM
🚨NEW RESULTS (w/ Slattery & Nober)
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- When gov't engineers retire, highway projects cost more: the engineers pay for themselves 6 times over
- Improving gov’t engineer quality from the 25th to 75th percentile reduces costs by 14%, equal to 3x avg. engineer pay
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by Zach Liscow
It has been the honor of my life to serve as Commissioner of BLS alongside the many dedicated civil servants tasked with measuring a vast and dynamic economy. It is vital and important work and I thank them for their service to this nation.
August 2, 2025 at 2:18 AM
It has been the honor of my life to serve as Commissioner of BLS alongside the many dedicated civil servants tasked with measuring a vast and dynamic economy. It is vital and important work and I thank them for their service to this nation.
No way to run a railroad
www.wsj.com/economy/cpi-...
www.wsj.com/economy/cpi-...
June 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
No way to run a railroad
www.wsj.com/economy/cpi-...
www.wsj.com/economy/cpi-...
🚨NEW PAPER🚨 w/ Elmendorf & Hubbard. We find:
- Growth-enhancing policies almost certainly cannot stabilize federal debt on their own
- But such policies can reduce the tax hikes/spending cuts needed to stabilize debt
- We need more research here
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- Growth-enhancing policies almost certainly cannot stabilize federal debt on their own
- But such policies can reduce the tax hikes/spending cuts needed to stabilize debt
- We need more research here
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
May 27, 2025 at 12:58 PM
🚨NEW PAPER🚨 w/ Elmendorf & Hubbard. We find:
- Growth-enhancing policies almost certainly cannot stabilize federal debt on their own
- But such policies can reduce the tax hikes/spending cuts needed to stabilize debt
- We need more research here
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- Growth-enhancing policies almost certainly cannot stabilize federal debt on their own
- But such policies can reduce the tax hikes/spending cuts needed to stabilize debt
- We need more research here
Paper: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....