Letter from Our Director
The Private Enterprise Research Center (PERC) at Texas A&M University continues its work to emphasize free markets and the private sector as we explore solutions to pressing public policy matters. We are grateful for the support of our many donors, both the donors who established the initial endowments that provide funding for many of our activities and to a variety of donors and foundations who have provided generous support over the years.
PERC continues our work to advance private enterprise and free market ideas. We support a number of scholars doing cutting-edge research on issues ranging from macroeconomic policy to educational policy and charitable giving. Our scholars are engaged in the ‘academic conversation’ in leading journals, in highly regarded conferences, and as members of organizations such as the prestigious National Bureau of Economic Research. The generosity and support of donors, the professorships they fund and the annual resources they provide, are the resources that allow us to continue to support our outstanding scholars.
PERC also provides funding to graduate students studying the role of markets in the economy. Again, donor support is crucial in continuing this endeavor. We currently have annual funding to support three Ph.D. students in the Department of Economics, most often students working with our affiliated faculty members. This is a very successful program and has resulted in excellent academic job placements over many years. In addition, we provide summer support or research support to deserving graduate students, with internship opportunities the mentor students in data analysis and policy research. This support of students is one of the best ways to ensure a continuation of academic interest in studying the role of free markets in a free society.
PERC hosts the Kirby Distinguished Visiting Professor speaker series and has supported public seminars on a variety of topics including monetary policy, behavioral economics, and the role of free markets in combating poverty and inequality.
This year, PERC will sponsor the first of what we hope will be a long-running annual “Texas A&M Policy Bootcamp” during the week before the Spring semester. This week-long camp for undergraduate and select graduate students will expose students to a variety of policy issues with a focus on the role of the private sector. Topics will range from tariffs and health care to pensions. This highly selective program will be taught by leading faculty from the Department of Economics and from the Bush School, including faculty affiliates of PERC.
PERC staff continue to provide policy studies and academic work on issues of public policy. PERC produces work of local interest, including the monthly report, Economic Indicators of the College Station-Bryan MSA, and singular studies such as our work on federal liabilities, and on Texas public sector pensions. PERC has an active blog with posts on fiscal policy matters, especially concerns with federal spending and ongoing deficits, as well as commentary on monetary policy and on the state of primary and secondary education in Texas. PERC engages with local business groups including the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation and the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce. PERC also provides contributions to the media at the state and national levels, and is a frequent contributor to the local print and television media on issues of local and national importance.
PERC’s many activities are highlighted on our website, and I encourage you to explore them at your leisure. We believe these activities are valuable and help continue student and academic interest in free markets and in private sector solutions to public policy problems. These activities do require resources, both time and money. In order for these initiatives to continue and succeed we ask that you consider investing in PERC and in the marketplace of ideas. You can help us advance better policy, better economic ideas, to help America maintain its status as a free society and a free market economy.
- Dr. Dennis Jansen, Director