He primarily teaches public finance economics and public financial management in the MPA and MPP master’s programs. Spencer joined the Arizona State University faculty in 2012. Prior to moving to Arizona, Spencer worked for nearly 8 years as a program analyst for the Internal Revenue Service. His research focuses on the financing of local government services. He recently published an article in Public Finance Review questioning the effectiveness of the use of state grants to promote property tax relief. His research interests also include local government outsourcing and workforce attrition. He holds a PhD in Public Policy from Georgia State University.