My research examines how governments respond to fiscal, economic, and political challenges. In general, I study public finance, urban and regional economics, and public policy, with an emphasis on local government finance, fiscal federalism, and policy responses to economic shocks.
Using applied microeconomics and quantitative methods, my work explores how institutions, information, and public policies shape government decision-making and public outcomes.
Research Interests:
Public Finance
Urban and Regional Economics
Local Government Finance
Fiscal Federalism
Political Economy
Energy and Environmental Policy
Applied Public Policy
Honor & Award:
Lincoln Institute Young Scholars Program, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 2024
Peer-reviewed Publication:
Buttorff, G. J., Hsu, Y. A., Olapade, Y., Perez Arguelles, M. P., Pinto, P. M., Sipole, S. L., Vallejo, A., & Wong, M. C. S. (2026). “Watt’s the Price of Keeping the Lights On? Natural Disasters and Willingness to Pay for Reliable Electricity.” Energy Policy, 216, 115362.
Book Chapters:
Hsu, Y. A. (2025). “Trade Shocks and Sustainable Energy Transition: Resource Misallocation in Local Governments.” In Resource Misallocation Theorem: Applications to Sustainable Energy Transition.
Craig, S., & Hsu, Y. A. (2023). “Sub-National Governmental Budget Tools for Surviving Shocks: Resiliency in the Public Sector.” In Resilience and Regional Development.
Revise & Resubmit:
Craig, S., & Hsu, Y. A. (2026). “Fiscal Stress and Divergent Fiscal Responses by Central Cities and Their Suburbs." Revise & Resubmit.
Working Papers:
Expenditure Smoothing under Balanced Budget Rules. With Xavier Martin Bautista, Steven G Craig, Bent E Sørensen, Vasundhara Tanwar and Priyam Verma.
Funding Public Health: Information Mis-(alignment) and Willingness to Pay. With Temirlan Moldogaziev and William Resh.
Rent Capture by Central Cities. With Steven Craig, Janet Kohlhase, and Oscar Galvez-Soriano.
Select Work in Progress:
Metropolitan Fragmentation and Transportation Investment. With Steven Craig.