Rising property tax revenues, tax hikes, and the broader economic recovery are driving the longest municipal government hiring streak in the United States since 2008. However, many jobs eliminated during the recession won't be returning.
"Cities across the U.S. are starting to hire new teachers, firefighters and police officers as a deep and prolonged slide in local-government employment appears to have bottomed out four years after the recession ended," report Mark Peters and Stephanie Banchero. "So far this year, 46,000 new jobs have been created on a seasonally adjusted basis. Local-government employment through June stood at 14.08 million, the highest level in more than a year and a half, though still well below a peak of 14.61 million in mid-2008."
However, assert the authors, some jobs eliminated during the recession won't be coming back. "Innovation and efficiency, doing better with less—that's the trend going forward nationally, state, local," said Phoenix City Manager David Cavazos.
"Moody's Analytics is forecasting a continued rise in hiring," Peters and Banchero add, "with local government adding a total of 90,000 jobs this year and 300,000 jobs in 2014. The firm, however, doesn't expect local-government payrolls to reach their all-time peak until late 2015 at the earliest."
FULL STORY: Cities Begin Hiring Again
Public Sector Stops Firing, and Starts Hiring
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Jobs Remain Elusive in Many Metros
Only 16 of 384 metropolitan areas saw job increases over the last year, according to a new study.
How Does an Economic Downturn Impact City Infrastructure?
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Seattle Legalizes Co-Living
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NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project
Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.
Denver's New High-Rise Integrates Vertical Canyon in Architectural Design
Unlike other new builds in Denver, Colorado, a new high-rise reveals a unique “sculptural canyon” running vertically through the facade to foster a sense of community and connection to nature.
Opinion: Federal Government Must Continue Supporting Rural Housing Program
The incoming Congress will have a say in bolstering — or harming — the only federal housing program focused on affordable housing in rural areas.
Chicago Budget Fails to Include Snow Plowing Program
Disability rights advocates say the “Plow the Sidewalks” program is a necessity for Chicagoans with limited mobility in winter months.
Indy Bike Share Sees Sharp Growth Thanks to Free Pass Program
A new fleet of e-bikes and free access for Marion County residents are getting more people on bikes.
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