The U.S. system of public finance faces a number of major challenges. First, as the economic system has shifted from a goods-to-services-to knowledge base, the revenue system remains unchanged. The result is a disconnect between where economic activity occurs and the revenue sources that depend upon that activity. Second, the U.S. system of government relies upon interactions and flows of revenues and responsibilities among the federal, state and local governments. The partnerships among these levels of government have been gradually unraveling and deteriorating over time, leading to heightened tensions and decreasing sharing of revenues and responsibilities. Third, dramatic demographic changes are changing the nature and quantity and services needed by residents. Finally, a lack of civic engagement combined with the prevalence of anti-government rhetoric in mainstream politics makes fiscal reform even more difficult to address.
Advocacy
2006 National Municipal Policy
2006 FAIR Policy Chapter
2006 FAIR Resolutions
City Practices
City Practices describes local government programs and practices in cities and towns across the nation on a variety of topics. View a few sample descriptions or search the entire City Practices collection.
Research & Analysis
Taxing Problems: Municipalities and America's Flawed System of Public Finance
City Fiscal Conditions in 2005 Research Brief
Local Budget and Tax Policy >> Full Report >> Research Brief
Additional Research Reports & Surveys
City Fiscal Conditions in 2004
Research Brief The State of America's Cities 2005: The Annual Opinion Survey of Municipal Elected Officials
Municipal Finance for Child and Family Services
Is the Federal-State-Local Partnership Being Dismantled?: Roundtable Proceedings
The Impact of Fiscal Policy on State and Local Fiscal Crises: Roundtable Proceedings
Toward a System of Public Finance for the 21st Century
Major Factors Affecting America's Cities
For information about research and analysis at the National League of Cities, go to the Research & Analysis web page.
Nation's Cities Weekly Articles
01/23/2006 Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board Adding a Local Voice
01/02/2006 Local Governments Oppose Telecom Tax Bills
Pressroom Articles
1/22/2006 Local Governments Turn Thumbs-Down Over Telecom Provisions in Streamline Tax Bills
Letters
5/10/2006 Letter to the House of Representatives regarding the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005
Email Lists
NLC Research Update: If you are interested in receiving regular email updates about new and forthcoming NLC research reports and briefs, please contact Christiana Brennan at brennan@nlc.org or (202) 626-3036.
Committees & Councils
CityFutures Panel on Public Finance
CityFutures Panel on Democratic Governance
Finance, Administration, and Intergovernmental Relations (FAIR) Policy and Advocacy Committee (FAIR)
Upcoming Events
October 12-14, 2006: FAIR Fall Steering Committee Meeting, San Antonio, TX
External Links
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB)
Bond Market Association
Fitch Ratings
Standard and Poor's
Moody's Investors Service
Awards
Awards for Municipal Excellence
Staff Contacts
Chris Hoene
Manager, Research and Municipalities in Transition Program
hoene@nlc.org
(202) 626-3172
Alex Ponder
Senior Legislative Counsel
ponder@nlc.org
(202) 626-3028