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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
Iowa Energy Competitiveness Index

From 2011 to 2023, Iowa’s Energy Competitiveness Index rank improved from 15th to 4th best in the nation.

Crime & Public Safety
Iowa Public Safety Competitiveness Index

Our Public Safety Competitiveness Index uncovered an interesting phenomenon in Iowa. Of all states, we spend 3rd least per capital on public safety yet have some of the best public safety outcomes in the na

Housing & Our Community
Iowa Housing Competitiveness Index

Iowa ranks 17th in housing competitiveness among all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

State Budget
Iowa Government Budget Competitiveness Index

Iowa’s Competitiveness Index dropped from 79 in 2011 to 74 in 2021. An index value of 74 ranks Iowa 25th relative to 49 other states and the District of Columbia.