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.

Portland Gets an “F ” on Fiscal Honesty

FEBRUARY 11, 2022 | THINKING OREGON | by Editorial

Includes: "The city claims it 'operates on a tough set of financial controls' to ensure it balances its annual budget.  It doesn’t. According to a report recently released by a nonprofit, Truth in Accounting (TIA), in order to 'balance the budget' Portland has been failing to include its true costs, pushing costs onto future taxpayers."

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. 

Oregon PERS: Treasurer offers pro-union investment policy for state pension fund

MARCH 12, 2020 | THE OREGONIAN | by Ted Sickinger

Treasurer Tobias Read is pushing an investment policy change for Oregon’s public pension fund that would promote unionization of the workforce at buildings and other facilities in which the fund has a majority ownership interest.

Portland needs $18,400 per taxpayer to get out of ‘financial trench,’ report finds

MARCH 3, 2020 | KATU 2 NEWS (OREGON) | by Karina Mazhukhina

Portland would need $18,400 per taxpayer to dig itself out of a ‘financial trench’ and pay all of its bills.

2020 Financial State of the Cities

JANUARY 28, 2020

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

Pension crisis sparks reform debate

MAY 18, 2018 | NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS | by Don McIntosh

The Central States pension is projected to run out of money in six years.

Oregon pension deficit climbs to $25.3 billion, meaning higher costs going forward

SEPTEMBER 28, 2017 | THE OREGONIAN | by Ted Sickinger

Oregon’s public pension deficit has grown to $25.3 billion, which means schools and local and state governments will need to drain an additional $1.4 billion from their projected 2019-21 budgets to feed the pension beast, according to a new valuation by the system’s actuary.

Oregon public pension managers shift to age-based investment funds

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 | US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT | by Ted Sickinger

Oregon's public pension managers have voted to undertake a major shift in the way they invest members' money, turning to age-based investment funds for beneficiaries' individual accounts.

Portland schools face audit after suing records requesters

SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 | FEDERAL NEWS RADIO

Oregon’s secretary of state said his office will audit spending by Portland Public Schools, in part because of the district’s decision to sue people who requested public records.

Retirement costs vary dramatically among states and cities

OCTOBER 17, 2016 | MARKETWATCH

By Alicia Munnell, includes “… On the other hand, five states – Illinois, New Jersey, Connecticut, Hawaii, and Kentucky – face payments in excess of 25 percent of revenue …