How State Policies Affect The Health Of Cities

This paper examines city-suburban fiscal disparities and shows that state tax policies may be exacerbating urban fiscal conditions.

1 minute read

March 22, 2001, 6:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Despite recent signs of economic and fiscal recovery, many U.S. central cities continue to struggle with declines or slow growth in population and employment, higher tax burdens, lower quality public services, and poorer performing schools compared to their suburban neighbors. This paper examines the factors that have led to fiscal distress in central cities, and fiscal disparities between cities and suburbs, in three states – California, New York and Wisconsin. The paper suggests that further devolution of federal programs to states, like welfare reform, may worsen cities' fiscal problems.

Thanks to Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy

Tuesday, March 20, 2001 in The Brookings Institution

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