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.

On the Brink of Financial Collapse: 10 Cities In Serious Danger of Bankruptcy

JUNE 6, 2023 | MSN | by Ben Rice

"Sobering Statistics 

The study, called Financial State of the Cities 2023, was done by Truth in Accounting. It has some difficult truths: 50 out of 75 cities could not pay their bills; the combined debt for all 75 cities is $267 billion. Moreover, elected officials didn’t include the cost of government in this figure, instead pushing it onto future taxpayers."

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.

New Orleans is using sentiment analysis on federal relief funding

JULY 20, 2021 | STATESCOOP | by Ryan Johnston

By Ryan Johnston, includes “New Orleans is using data and social-media analysis to gauge how residents want the city to spend $375 million in federal stimulus funding."

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. 

Cuomo: Income tax hike for rich likely if no federal aid arrives

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 | SPECTRUM NEWS | by Nick Reisman

New York would be forced into hiking its income tax on its wealthiest earners if a federal aid package fails to materialize in Congress, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday warned. 

La. Economists project COVID-19 will cause nearly $1 billion shortfall in state’s budget

MAY 12, 2020 | KSLA NEWS 12 (LOUISIANA) | by Matt Houston, Nick Gremillion

Louisiana lawmakers will have around $843 million less to spend as they begin crafting the state’s operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

2020 Financial State of the Cities

JANUARY 28, 2020

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

Is New York’s plan to fight rising sea levels a model for other cities?

MAY 29, 2019 | GOVERNING | by Daniel Vock

The city predicts that, by the 2050s, more than a third of Lower Manhattan would be at risk from a storm surge. 

New Orleans may have improperly diverted millions in property taxes to pension funds

MAY 9, 2018 | THE LENS (LOUISIANA) | by Charles Maldonado

According to state Supreme Court rulings and an Attorney General’s opinion, local governments are not allowed to use property taxes for expenses not approved by voters.

US faces crisis as pension funding hole hits $3.85tn

MAY 15, 2017 | FINANCIAL TIMES

US cities and states face a “looming crisis” after the collective funding hole in the public pension system jumped by $434bn in just one year, raising fears of further Detroit-style bankruptcies.

State budget cuts could affect restaurant inspections

APRIL 29, 2016 | WWL 4

With Governor John Bel Edwards plan to cut nearly $400 million from the Department of Health and Hospitals, it's predicting 20,000 fewer inspections a year, and that could directly impact customers.

Chicago Tribune: teacher compensation is a perk

AUGUST 28, 2015 | CHICAGO TRIBUNE VIA FRED KLONSKY

Only "water gushing through manhole covers" could bring school reform to our city wrote McQueary" ...