Financial State of the Cities 2024

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

At the end of the fiscal year 2022, 53 cities did not have enough money to pay all of their bills.

Financial State of the Cities 2023

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

This year's report highlights the volatility and risk surrounding pension plan assets and corresponding pension liabilities.

Financial State of the Cities 2022

JANUARY 25, 2022

Truth in Accounting has released its sixth annual Financial State of the Cities report.

PRESS RELEASE: Majority of U.S. cities finances worsened during beginning of COVID-19 pandemic

JANUARY 24, 2022

Despite receiving federal assistance from the CARES Act and other COVID-19 related grants, the majority of cities’ finances worsened. Total debt among the 75 largest U.S. cities amounted to $357 billion at the end of the fiscal year 2020, which was $23.5 billion worse than the last fiscal year.

Majority of U.S. cities ill-prepared for COVID-19 pandemic

JANUARY 26, 2021

The 2021 Financial State of the Cities (FSOC) surveys the fiscal health of the 75 largest municipalities in the United States. This data is released today by Truth in Accounting (TIA), a think tank that analyzes government financial reporting.

Financial State of the Cities 2021

JANUARY 26, 2021

Our fifth annual Financial State of the Cities report. This analysis surveys the fiscal health of the 75 most populated US cities prior to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Georgia is doing fine, thank you

JULY 9, 2020 | CITY JOURNAL | by Matt Strauss

The northeastern United States was badly ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic. The five states with the highest Covid-19 deaths per capita to date are New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island; if the District of Columbia were a state, it would place sixth. 

2020 Financial State of the Cities

JANUARY 28, 2020

Our fourth annual report on the financial condition of the nation's 75 largest cities. 

Public kept in the dark about city pension performance

JANUARY 15, 2019 | ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION | by Yamil Berard

“… Lackluster results from some money managers was one reason the City Council  in December 2017 voted to consolidate oversight of the general employees, police and fire retirement funds under a single board. … The city also said the move would improve transparency, so the public could be confident that the funds were being safeguarded. So far, the new board has failed to deliver on either count …” 

As another season passes, Cobb in dark about final Braves stadium cost

NOVEMBER 19, 2018 | THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION (GEORGIA) | by Meris Lutz

A year and a half after the first pitch at SunTrust Park, Cobb has yet to account for tens of millions of dollars in stadium construction work and officials haven’t independently confirmed a final price tag on the county’s largest, most controversial public works project.

Will tax reform spur states to embrace school choice?

JANUARY 19, 2018 | REAL CLEAR POLICY | by Lewis Andrews

The modest subsidy of public school alternatives is now the only way to both rescue government public pension plans — the cumulative underfunding of which has been estimated as high as $6 trillion — and thus keep promised benefits reasonably intact.

Atlanta pension boards sue city over merger

JANUARY 10, 2018 | THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION | by Dan Klepal

The new year has brought a civil war between the city of Atlanta and two of its three pension boards.

Place your bets: Top 5 cities for Amazon HQ2

NOVEMBER 13, 2017

Using State Data Lab and a handful of other sources, we've picked out a list of "Top 5" cities for Amazon's second headquarters. 

Atlanta wins pension reform case

NOVEMBER 3, 2015 | ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE | by Dave Williams

The Georgia Supreme Court Monday unanimously upheld pension reforms adopted by the Atlanta City Council four years ago.