Persistent staffing shortages have caused Philadelphia to underspend by over $200 million on employee wages across FY23 and FY24, as actual vacancies far exceeded budget assumptions. The report weighs whether vacancy rates in future budgets should be revised upward to improve transparency and flexibility. Regardless of the approach taken, clearer and more consistent disclosure of…

The Pennsylvania Convention Center Expansion Project report evaluates the financial implications of expanding the Pennsylvania Convention Center, including the shift of fiscal responsibility from the City to the Commonwealth. It discusses the projected costs, anticipated economic benefits, and key challenges related to labor costs and facility management.

The Health and Medical Benefits: Burning a Hole in the Budget report examines the rapid growth of Philadelphia’s health benefits costs, which have outpaced other expenditures despite a declining workforce. It provides recommendations for controlling these costs, including better vendor management, wellness programs, and potential plan design changes.

The Philadelphia Government Costs: Additional Reductions Required report assesses the City’s spending trends, noting that while budget surpluses have been achieved, the overall cost of government has not significantly decreased. It emphasizes the need for structural expenditure reductions in core services, social services, and fixed costs to align with the City’s declining economic base.

PICA’s Measuring the Accuracy of Spending Projections issue brief assesses Philadelphia’s ability to project expenditures, finding it is the second-most accurate among 15 peer cities, with a mean error of ±2.0%.