Hicks Commentary: It’s Time to Measure the “Value Added” Performance of Schools
This column was originally published on the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research Weekly Commentary blog. By Michael J. Hicks April 5, 2026 For families with kids, the most important part of choosing a neighborhood is usually the quality of local schools “...”
Hicks Commentary: Oil Supply Shocks Have the Same Economic Effects as Tariffs
This column was originally published on the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research Weekly Commentary blog. By Michael J. Hicks March 29, 2026 The world is facing what could be the largest energy shock in history. We aren’t there yet. The U.S. and Israel “...”
Hicks Commentary: The Cost of War and the Shift from Attack to Defense
This column was originally published on the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research Weekly Commentary blog. By Michael J. Hicks March 22, 2026 In the two weeks following the outbreak of war, the benchmark price of crude oil rose 44.6%. Even if oil prices s “...”
Hicks Commentary: The uproar over data centers
This column was originally published on the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research Weekly Commentary blog. By Michael J. Hicks March 15, 2026 Today’s uproar over data centers reminds me a lot of the angst over Walmart two decades ago. There’s an enorm “...”
Hicks Commentary: The Biden vs Trump Economy
This column was originally published on the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research Weekly Commentary blog. By Michael J. Hicks March 8, 2026 There is a simple way to cut through the noise about whose economy is stronger — Donald Trump’s or Joe Bid “...”
Hicks Commentary: The Hollow Promise of MAGA Tariffs
This column was originally published on the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research Weekly Commentary blog. By Michael Hicks March 1, 2026 Indiana is ground zero for President Donald Trump’s trade war damage, and the worst is still ahead. The Supreme “...”
Hicks Commentary: Quality of Life Is a Smart Business Attraction Tool
This column was originally published on the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research Weekly Commentary blog. By Michael J. Hicks February 22, 2026 Quality of life matters more to businesses than it does to households. That may seem counterintuitive, but the “...”
Hicks Commentary: The Property Tax Is the Best Tax
This column was originally published on the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research Weekly Commentary blog. By Michael J. Hicks February 15, 2026 The Indiana legislature is considering a bill that would fully phase out the property tax over the next few ye “...”
Hicks Commentary: Indiana General Assembly using Copy-and-Paste Legislation from Out of State
This column was originally published on the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research Weekly Commentary blog. By Michael J. Hicks February 8, 2026 Indiana legislators are considering a bill to eliminate college degrees that don’t exist. Senate Bill 199 “...”
Hicks Commentary: It’s Sell Off America Time Around the World
This column was originally published on the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research Weekly Commentary blog. By Michael J. Hicks February 1, 2026 The value of the U.S. dollar dropped against most foreign currencies in late January, while dollar-denominated “...”