Once a robust producer of coal, iron, and steel, Scranton, Pennsylvania, is perilously close to financial insolvency. A 75-year population decline has eroded its tax base, and city officials have been unable to control costs — a combination that threatens to bankrupt the city. Scranton was...

In 2019, few could have predicted that state and local pension funds would be faced with a pandemic that would slash state and local tax revenues and harm investment returns. Nevertheless, fund managers should have spent the past decade preparing for an inevitable market downturn. Instead, just...

For the fifth and final year, we rank states according to their financial condition. On the basis of FY 2016 financial reports of the 50 states, this study ranks the states' fiscal solvency using 13 indicators that assess the extent to which the states can meet their obligations. State finances...

Based on the fiscal year 2014 comprehensive annual financial reports of the 50 states and Puerto Rico, this study ranks states fiscal solvency using 14 metrics that assess the extent to which the states can meet short-term bills and longer-term obligations. State finances are analyzed according...

Like many former industrial cities, Scranton is struggling. A 75-year population decline has eroded its tax base, and city officials have been unable to control costs a combination that threatens to bankrupt the city. Scranton was classified as a distressed municipality under Pennsylvania Act 47...

This paper examines the political economy of Pope Francis. Extending the work of Maciej Zieba we attempt to provide context to the pope's statements on economics made within his most recent apostolic exhortation, Evangelii gaudium (Joy of the Gospel), by placing it within the larger spectrum of...

Based on the FY 2015 comprehensive annual financial reports of the 50 states, this study ranks states fiscal solvency using 13 metrics that assess the extent to which the states can pay short-term bills and meet longer-term obligations. State finances are analyzed according to five categories of...

This is a policy paper on the effect of infrastructure spending.Congress and the new Administration are considering an $825 billion stimulus package that would in part grant the states $550 billion in new spending, much of which will be dedicated to infrastructure. Proponents claim this money...

Compared to other urban redevelopment approaches, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) - special geographically defined zones that are authorized to collect taxes from their members and then manage those revenues to serve a variety of purposes - have had relative uncontreversial success. Since...

Although most people probably have not heard of them, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) have proliferated across the globe. Geographically defined zones authorized to collect taxes from businesses within their boundaries, BIDs have significantly changed urban governance and revived business...