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Steven L. Byers, Ph.D.

Chief Economist

For media inquiries, please contact cinamon@csinstituteus.org

Steven Byers’s is Common Sense Institutes Senior Economist and has been with CSI since 2022. Steven is responsible for conducting research on issues important to the Colorado economy.

Prior to joining CSI, Steven spent three years working for the Coalition for a Prosperous America, a nonprofit organization consisting of manufacturing, agricultural, labor, consumer, and citizen interest groups, where he conducted research on the U.S. economy, international trade, and tariffs. Highlights of this research include a paper titled, “Decoupling from China – An Economic Analysis of the Impact on the U.S. Economy of a Permanent Tariff on Chinese Imports” for which he and a co-author won the National Association for Business Economics Edmund A. Mennis Contributed Paper Award. Steven’s experience as an economist spans twenty-three years, including work at federal regulatory agencies (SEC, CFTC, PCAOB) and quantitative economic analysis supporting international trade litigation cases brought before the U.S. International Trade Commission. His Ph.D. dissertation topic was based on a computable general equilibrium model (CGE) he developed to evaluate the economic impact of regional tax incentives in a small city (Fort Collins, CO).

Steven is a fifth generation Coloradan, is an avid bicyclist, golfer, sailor, and builds house and fine furniture in his spare time.

Expert's Work
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Energy & Our Environment
Arizona's Energy Competitiveness Index

Historically, electricity in Arizona has come at an affordable price which has added to the state’s attractiveness for both businesses and households alike.

Crime & Public Safety
Arizona Public Safety Competitiveness Index

FULL REPORT Authors: Steven L. Byers Ph.D. and Zachary Milne Introduction Crime directly affects the lives of all Arizonans and, if left unchecked, can significantly hamper the growth of the local economy.

Housing & Our Community
Arizona Housing Competitiveness Index

Historically, Arizona – and its greater Phoenix metro area – has had a relatively affordable housing market. Recently, though, housing costs in the Phoenix area rose faster than any other major metro area i

State Budget
Arizona Government Budget Competitiveness Index

A thriving economy depends in part on an efficient government that operates at sustainable levels. One measure of efficiency: given the powers and duties reserved to and assumed by a government, how much do