As recession-reduced property tax levels begin to play out in cities across the U.S., municipalities are beginning to react to the realities of lowered revenues.
Local governments are expected to see shortfalls of about $83 billion, according to this column from Neal Peirce.
"Will "higher" governments help out? Not likely right now. Washington will be focused on deficit trimming. States have their own budget nightmares. And then there's raw partisanship. Republicans made net gains of six governorships and some 680 legislative seats in the mid-elections; even if commiserate with cities, they'll fear Tea Party retribution if they lift a finger to help.
If there's any good news, says Chris Hoene, the National League of Cities' fiscal guru, it's that actual city bankruptcies remain rare, that over 90 percent of localities are balancing their budgets - so far. And that while some mayors see massive layoffs coming, others say they're using this moment to clean up inefficient bureaucracies."
Read the full story: Cities’ Fiscal Nightmares: What’s Next?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
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One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
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University of Cincinnati Online
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