The following article called my attention at first because it deals with a very interesting building policy which has a direct effect on the city and, consequently, on urban planning. Secondly, it is also interesting because it shows how building policies, created by governments, have also a direct effect on the price of rents and housing demand.

I believe it relates to the the Public Finance class because it exemplifies how the government is able to change behavior through policies and laws and this is, most of the times, a sign of inefficiency.

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2013/09/16/apartment-blockers/#more-311472

I read this article last week and thought I could share.

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/29/behind-the-big-increase-in-food-stamps/?ref=economy&_r=4

I have studied before on the course about the Food Stamps Program, known as SNAP, and for me it was just interesting to think about it through a new perspective. I mean, not just thinking about the ones who are helped, but the public costs of such a program. Also, according to what I've been reading for our Public Finance class, I am able to better understand how the new rules and benefit formulas of SNAP influence the final amount of governmental spending with the program.