Though private sector employment shows signs of recovery, the National League of American Cities predicts 500,000 municipal workers will lose their jobs over the current and coming fiscal years. The Economist considers solutions.
According to The Economist, decreased revenues from property and sales taxes and increased costs from boom time pension promises based on "wildly unrealistic investment assumptions" have left many cities running budget deficits. The Economist says most municipalities eventually turn to staff cuts to bridge the gap.
A recent forum by the Miliken Institute suggested other measures local governments might take, says the Economist:
"Municipalities should adopt better accounting standards, dole out saner pensions and start rainy-day funds-all of which might help in recessions yet to come. They might put fewer people in county jails or broaden their revenue base by extending sales taxes to services (which many currently exempt). They might even merge with other municipalities to eliminate duplication of services...The other option is to ask the federal government for help, though given the mood of the electorate regarding stimulus and bail-outs, that would be controversial."
FULL STORY: Municipal troubles: All economics is local
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Philly Suburb Cities Feeling the Pinch
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Seattle Makes Historic Affordable Housing Investment
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
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Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
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Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
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MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie