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
An Inside Look at Making L.A.'s Difficult Decisions in a Time of Austerity
LA Councilmember Paul Krekorian discusses reducing the city's budget deficit, the impacts his decisions will have on core services and civil servants, and the tolls that come with taking on a budget crisis during a period of fiscal austerity.
Philly Suburb Cities Feeling the Pinch
Townships surrounding Philadelphia have managed to survive the recession until now, but city coffers are now going into the red and cities are being forced to take action.
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.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
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City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)