Horizontal equity means that two people in identical economic situations should pay the
same amount of taxes.
Answer:
Figure 4-14 Figure 4-14 shows the market
for taxi rides. The following question(s) are based on this figure.
To legally drive a taxicab in New York City, you must have a medallion issued by the
city government. Assume that only 13,200 medallions have been issued. Let’s also
assume this puts an absolute limit on the number of taxi rides that can be supplied in
New York City on any day, because no one breaks the law by driving a taxi without a
medallion. Assume as well that each taxi provides 6 trips per day. In that case, the
quantity supplied of taxi rides is 79,200 (or 6 rides per taxi 13,200 taxis). This is shown
in the diagram with a vertical line at this quantity. Assume that there are no government
controls on the prices that drivers can charge for rides.
a. What would the equilibrium price and quantity be in this market if there were no
medallion requirement?
b. If there were no medallion requirement, indicate the area that represents consumer
surplus.
c. If there were no medallion requirement, indicate the area that represents producer
surplus.
d. If there were no medallion requirement, indicate the area that represents economic
surplus.
e. What are the price and quantity with the medallion requirement?
f. With a medallion requirement in place, what area represents consumer surplus?
g. With a medallion requirement in place, what area represents producer surplus?