Fisher is a professor of economics and adjunct professor of accounting and information systems at Michigan State University. Served as Dean of the Honors College (1996-2007), as chairperson of the department of economics (1988-1992), and as a member of the University’s Academic Council, the University Committee on Academic Policy, the University Committee on Student Affairs, and the University’s Athletic Council. Fischer joined the faculty as assistant professor in the department of economics in 1976, and was promoted to associate professor in 1981 and professor in 1986.

Fisher specializes in the study of government finance and taxation, particularly regarding state and local governments. He has authored the leading textbook in the field, State and Local Public Finance, first published in 1989, with the fourth edition to be published in 2014. In addition, he has written more than 100 professional articles, research reports, and books on public finance topics.

Fisher received his Ph.D. (1977) and M.A. (1974) in economics from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. B.A. (with high honors) in chemistry from Michigan State (1972), where he was a student member of the Honors College.