Summary
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) was established in 1991 in response to Philadelphia’s financial crisis, providing oversight and access to capital markets to restore fiscal stability. The Authority continues to review the City’s annual Five-Year Financial Plans and enforce compliance through quarterly reporting and the power to withhold state funds if necessary. Amendments in 2022 extended PICA’s authority and reemphasized its role as a long-term fiscal partner to the City, with renewed bonding powers for critical infrastructure.