The Scary State of U.S. Municipal Finances

Analysis by The Wall Street Journal shows that even as other sectors of the economy fight their way back from the Great Recession, municipal finances lag far behind.

November 2, 2013, 11am PDT | Jonathan Nettler | @nettsj

"Buffeted by steep drops in state aid, rising pension and health-care costs and sluggish property-tax revenue, many urban centers are struggling even several years after the financial crisis," reports Jeannette Neumann.

"In Allentown, Pa., weak property values are starving the city of a primary source of cash. Springfield, Ill., has seen pension costs nearly triple in the past decade. Providence, R.I., raised taxes and fees and cut benefits to offset losses in state aid. Fresno, Calif., has so little available cash that officials worry one unforeseen event could reverse nascent improvements."

"While many cities made conservative choices that protected them during tough times, the overall picture shows signs of fragility."

An accompanying interactive graphic depicts the cities struggling the most.

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U.S. Cities Grapple With Finances

Published on Sunday, October 27, 2013 in The Wall Street Journal