A structurally balanced budget is the single most important vital sign for a municipality’s fiscal (and overall) health. The disconcerting truth is that most jurisdictions fall short on that metric. There are key principles localities should follow to sidestep the fiscal quicksand.
In every city there exists a bad faith machine—a kind of informal network of self-appointed critics, journalistic pundits, political opponents—who think their job is to tear city leaders down.
America’s housing crisis stems from the simple fact that the nation has a housing shortage that could be as large as 15 to 20 million units. The Southern California fires are a stark reminder of how natural disasters can compound housing challenges, especially in regions where the market is already under immense pressure. It’s the latest poignant wake-up call for local governments to prioritize housing as a top agenda item, crafting solutions that not only expand supply but also emphasize resilience and affordability.
If you thought the pandemic was a pressure test for local government finances, the fiscal storm clouds gathering on the horizon will make it pale in comparison.
To perform its fundamental functions, government must pay closer attention to the interdependence of efficiency, effectiveness, and equity. Equity means ensuring that all individuals and communities have fair and equal…
The federal Financial Data Transparency Act is poised to reshape how local governments handle financial data by prioritizing machine-readable, searchable, standardized formats. However, as implementation rules for the FDTA continue…
In a 1957 speech, Dwight D. Eisenhower shared a lesson he’d learned in the Army that he said applied just as well to the whole of government. “Plans are worthless,”…
Polarized local politics means that governments have a tougher time doing the basic blocking-and-tackling of administration — police, fire, road maintenance, utilities — and allocating resources to support community needs. The siege mentality that has crept into our politics can cause or worsen the financial problems of cities and towns.
Sacramento has achieved a significant reduction in homelessness through a strategic collaboration between city and county officials, nonprofits, and community partners. This comprehensive approach, backed by substantial financial resources, has resulted in a 29% decrease in overall homelessness and a 41% reduction in unsheltered individuals since 2022.
Reimagining property taxation through a split tax system can disrupt the cycle of ‘honest graft’ by incentivizing development and reducing speculative landholding, Mark Funkhouser writes in his newest newsletter.