Description
Book SynopsisNew Mexico and Arizona joined the Union in 1912, despite the opposition from some of their residents. The Fiscal Case against Statehood examines the concerns of the people who lost the battle over statehood in the two territories. Moussalli examines their territorial and early state governments' fiscal behavior and reveals that while their fears of steep increases in the cost of government were well-founded, statehood also significantly improved their governments' accountability for their use of the public purse. She concludes that fiscal officials enabled statehood's growth in government by improving the financial reports and processes. Moussalli examines New Mexico's and Arizona's financial reports before and after statehood, and compares them to the state of Nevada's reports as a control. Through detailed, systematic analysis, Moussalli reveals the fiscal costs and accountability gains of statehood for the residents of New Mexico and Arizona.
Trade ReviewStephanie D. Moussalli's study of spending changes that occurred when the territories of New Mexico and Arizona became states in 1912 tests the 'Leviathan' model that predicts that with more independence under statehood their governments would increase their taxing and spending. . . Moussalli documents how Arizona and New Mexico after statehood increased their spending over and above what they lost in federal finding. . . . Interesting sidelights in Moussalli's study include how government funds were lost through bank failures, such as occurred during the depression of 1920-21. * Southwestern Historical Quarterly *
Moussalli’s book is truly an interdisciplinary study. . . . Historians of the development of nations, and in particular the transition of US territories into States of the Union, will find Moussalli’s analysis of Arizona an New Mexico’s road to statehood informative and innovative. ... A significant contribution of this book to accounting historians, especially those studying US governmental accounting, is the explanations and historical analysis of the financial reporting practices that were in place or were introduced during this period. * Accounting History Review *
By illuminating a sparsely populated field, Moussalli shows that financial reports, budgets, audited reports and tax assessments can augment and challenge the written record. 'People say one thing, and do another.' Based on her pioneering analysis one might argue that government financial records are 'public policy' stripped of romance, laying bare the rhetoric and promises of politicians. Daunting and difficult work, Moussalli demonstrates that historical accounting scholarship rewards the diligent and creative scholar willing to stay on the trail. * Economic History Association *
By illuminating a sparsely populated field, Moussalli shows that financial reports, budgets, audited reports and tax assessments can augment and challenge the written record. . . .Daunting and difficult work, Moussalli demonstrates that historical accounting scholarship rewards the diligent and creative scholar willing to stay on the trail. * Eh.Net: The Economic History Network *
The Fiscal Case Against Statehood clearly shows the diffeculties engendered of getting politics out of property taxes in order to accomplish needed reforms. . . .The resulting book, The Fiscal Case Against Statehood, is a wonderful mix of history, economics, eithics, politics, accounting, and taxation. . . .Moussalli offers strong evidence that citiens' tax burdens did increase as a 'price' for statehood. . . .The list of people who woulod benefit from reading this book is quite long. First, the text is a must-read for state and local officals and politicians of Arizona and New Mexico; residents of both states will also find this account of their predecessors' opposition to statehood enlightening. Second, researchers in the sreas of tax, governmental accounting, history, policial science, economics, and ethics will also find a wealth of information. Third, this book will be a refreshing supplement to many university classes. Fourth, other potential users of this text include those teaching classes in United States history, political science, ethics, and economics who will enjoy the detailed supply of facts, figures and personalities involved in these territories' quest for statehood. * The Journal of the American Taxation Association *
The Fiscal Case against Statehood is an interdisciplinary delight. Moussalli deftly blends accounting, history, economics, and public administration into a compelling story about the effects of statehood. Scholars interested in better understanding the growth of government or the evolution of accounting standards will benefit from a close read. -- Joshua Hall, Beloit College
This book is both history of accounting as well as accounting for history. Through her meticulous research into interplay between political structure, politics, fiscal management and accounting, Moussalli’s work makes an impressive contribution to the sparsely populated branch of scholarship—political accounting. Although accounting is often depicted as an afterthought to structure of business and political organizations, Moussalli’s work tells the story of their co-evolution. Students of accounting, organizations, politics, and history will find it a rewarding reading and source of rich examples. A hundred years after creation of the states of New Mexico and Arizona out of territories, this highly readable book could inform the on-going political debate in India on breaking up large states of the union into smaller ones. -- Shyam Sunder, Yale University
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Part I. The Money Chapter 1. Statehood and Leviathan Chapter 2. New Mexico’s Rocky Fiscal Road to Statehood Chapter 3. Arizona’s Rocky Fiscal Road to Statehood Chapter 4. The Statehood Gamble Chapter 5. The Birth of Leviathan Part II . The Books Chapter 6. Accountability and Statehood Chapter 7. The Talk: Management’s Discussion and Analysis Chapter 8. Accountants at the Service of the State: Reforming Property Tax Administration Chapter 9. Funds, Assets, Liabilities, Fiscal Years, and Report Timing Chapter 10. Interfund Transfers, Federal Subsidies, Revenues and Expenditures, Tax Rates, and Budgets Chapter 11. The Elements of Accountability Chapter 12. Conclusion: Statehood and Accountability, Leviathan and Accountants Appendix
