Mario Solis-Garcia, Economics, will present “Tax Policy News and Business Cycle Fluctuations."  News about changes in future tax plans -- like the Bush tax cuts during 2010 -- can influence the behavior of economic agents even though these plans may never materialize. In turn, the changes in behavior created by news may have important economic consequences in the short run. Would news about an increase in capital tax rates create a recession? Would news about a reduction in the top income tax rate increase hours worked? This research project shows that news can trigger economic fluctuations even before the policy change takes place.  All faculty are welcome.  Lunch will be provided.