
Media Contact
Jennifer Ellen French
Public Relations Manager
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
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ATLANTA — As U.S. policymakers debate the future of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap imposed by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ahead of its 2025 expiration, they would be advised to look at research findings by Georgia State University economics Ph.D. candidate Federico Corredor.
Corredor’s innovative data collection and analysis sheds new light on local government responses to the cap, finding notable shifts in property tax policies and inter-jurisdictional competition. His work provides critical insights into the interplay between federal tax policy and local public finance that can be used to rigorously inform ongoing policy discussions.
A fifth-year Ph.D. candidate and a fellow at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies’ (AYSPS) Public Finance Research Cluster (PFRC), Corredor is emerging as a promising researcher in public economics with a growing portfolio of scholarly achievements.
Corredor’s academic career is marked by significant recognitions, including a Fulbright scholarship, the Jack Blicksilver Scholarship in Economics awarded by AYSPS, the Barry M. Moriarty Award for Best Graduate Research Paper in Regional Science awarded by the Southern Regional Science Association and multiple Honor Scholarships for Academic Performance from Universidad Externado de Colombia. He presented his work at seven conferences in 2024, including the prestigious National Tax Association annual conference, marking another notable milestone.
“Going to conferences to present your work is a must during the Ph.D. program,” Corredor said. “Getting to know people from other institutes, receiving feedback and connecting with researchers and policymakers is one of the components of Ph.D. life that I enjoy the most.”
Corredor’s path to economics began during his teenage years in Colombia, where he was captivated by philosophical readings and the complex social dynamics surrounding his country's long-standing armed conflict.
“I realized that people’s well-being depends on the capacity to access goods and services,” he said. “But, more importantly, these issues are fundamentally about the availability and distribution of resources — land, capital and labor.”
His decision to attend Georgia State was a deliberate one. The Andrew Young School’s Department of Economics and research centers, with their renowned reputation in public finance, provided the ideal environment to pursue his academic aspirations.
“The centers at GSU have a global reputation,” he said. “The PFRC’s International Center for Public Policy and Center for State and Local Finance provided the comprehensive research ecosystem I was looking for.”
Corredor’s research explores the nuanced landscape of economic development incentives, challenging conventional assumptions about government interventions. By exploring how policy designs impact market dynamics, he investigates the unintended effects of economic policies.
“The complexity lies in understanding that good intentions don’t guarantee positive outcomes,” he said. “Rigorous econometric analysis is crucial to unpack these intricate policy effects. Working at GSU transformed me from an idealist into a realist, teaching me that public policy implementation requires a gradual and careful process.”
Beyond research, Corredor values the collaborative spirit of his academic community. His relationship with Associate Professor Carlianne Patrick has been particularly influential.
“She’s not just a thesis adviser,” he said, “but a mentor who consistently guides me toward innovative research perspectives and provides unwavering support.”
Within his cohort of 11 Ph.D. candidates — many of whom started during the challenging COVID-19 period — Corredor has found a supportive professional network.
“We’ve developed strong relationships,” he said. “Most of us are co-authoring research projects, which speaks to the collaborative spirit of our academic community.”
Corredor’s experience as a fellow with the PFRC has been instrumental in bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application. Working alongside experienced researchers like Professor Emeritus Jorge Martinez-Vazquez and Peter Bluestone, the associate director of domestic programs at the PFRC, he has gained invaluable insights into policy research.
“The PFRC offers an extraordinary blend of academic rigor and real-world problem-solving,” he says. “Engaging with local government institutions like the Georgia Department of Revenue has been incredibly educational, providing context beyond academic theoretical frameworks.”
The cluster also supports student success through conference funding, research opportunities and a sense of community.
As a Fulbright Scholar, Corredor represents a bridge between academic research and international policy development. His long-term goal is to contribute meaningful research that can inform policy decisions, particularly in developing economies like Colombia’s.
After completing his Ph.D., he plans to pursue postdoctoral studies to contribute actionable insights for policymakers.
“The objective is not just to study problems,” he said, “but to develop data-driven solutions that can tangibly improve societal outcomes.”
He is also passionate about teaching and mentoring.
“I want to help new generations navigate academics, especially international students,” he added.
Corredor’s journey embodies the Public Finance Research Cluster’s mission to improve overall governance through the efficient and effective use of limited resources, ultimately transforming communities and nations to improve human well-being. As he approaches his dissertation defense, Corredor stands as a testament to Georgia State University’s commitment to cultivating innovative, analytical scholars who are poised to address complex economic challenges and create meaningful solutions across the state, the country and the globe.
— By Public Finance Research Cluster Graduate Assistant Wendy Zhang (M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling)