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. 

2020 Financial State of the Cities

JANUARY 28, 2020

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

Financially ailing Oakland schools will get cash infusion under new state law

SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 | SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE | by Dominic Fracassa

State lawmakers are coming to the aid of the financially embattled Oakland Unified School District, which is bracing for the effects of budget cuts over the next three years.

Oakland’s $860 million retiree healthcare crisis

JULY 3, 2018 | ROCKRIDGE PATCH (CALIFORNIA) | by California News Wire Services

OAKLAND, CA — The Alameda County Grand Jury says in its annual report that the city of Oakland's unfunded retiree healthcare benefits are an $860 million "crisis" that is starting to undermine the city's fiscal health and could cause its bond ratings to be downgraded.

Pension liabilities bite in the present, too

OCTOBER 12, 2017 | COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE | by Ivan Osorio

Politicians often like to kick the can down the road when it comes to debt. Few things illustrate that better than the large pension deficits many state and local governments around the country are now facing.

Pro sports great, just not for local economy

OCTOBER 23, 2015 | MERCATUS CENTER, GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY | by Dennis Coates

If Forbes’ latest ranking of National Football League franchise values is any indication, the owners of the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams – all competing to move to the Los Angeles area – figure to find a goldmine here. At an estimated $4 billion, the Dallas Cowboys are the world’s most valuable sports team. Large-market teams round out the NFL’s value top five. An L.A. team would be poised to join that top tier.