Journal of State Economic Research (JSER) provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. All articles are published under an open access model that permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. This approach aligns with JSER’s commitment to advancing evidence-based economic scholarship and enhancing the accessibility of state-level economic research for academics, policymakers, and the broader public.