Publications

The Philadelphia Must Reduce Its Need for Tax Revenues report examines the City's continued reliance on tax-supported spending despite economic growth and budget surpluses. It argues that Philadelphia must reduce expenditures funded by tax revenues to sustain long-term financial stability and create capacity for future tax reductions.

The Adverse Consequences of Philadelphia’s Continuing Population Loss report examines the City's declining population and the economic and fiscal risks associated with sustained outmigration. It highlights the impact on the tax base, service demand, and long-term financial stability.

The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY99 Annual Report provides an overview of the Authority's activities, financial oversight, and analysis of the City of Philadelphia’s fiscal condition over the past year. It includes key findings from PICA’s financial reviews, budget analyses, and policy recommendations aimed at ensuring the City's long-term financial stability as well as the Authority's financial statements and report from its auditors.

PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY00-04 evaluates Philadelphia’s projected revenues, expenditures, and financial challenges, outlining strategies for maintaining budgetary balance over five years.

The Caution: Severe Threats to Philadelphia’s Fund Balance Ahead report warns of looming financial risks despite the City’s sixth consecutive year of a positive General Fund balance. It highlights key challenges, including welfare reform, international economic instability, and upcoming labor contract negotiations, which could significantly impact the City’s fiscal stability.

The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY98 Annual Report provides an overview of the Authority's activities, financial oversight, and analysis of the City of Philadelphia’s fiscal condition over the past year. It includes key findings from PICA’s financial reviews, budget analyses, and policy recommendations aimed at ensuring the City's long-term financial stability as well as the Authority's financial statements and report from its auditors.

PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY99-03 analyzes Philadelphia’s fiscal challenges, expenditure trends, and policy options to promote financial sustainability.

The Court Unification and State-Wide Funding: Future Five-Year Financial Plan Implications for the City of Philadelphia report analyzes the financial impact of shifting local court funding to the state.

The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY97 Annual Report provides an overview of the Authority's activities, financial oversight, and analysis of the City of Philadelphia’s fiscal condition over the past year. It includes key findings from PICA’s financial reviews, budget analyses, and policy recommendations aimed at ensuring the City's long-term financial stability as well as the Authority's financial statements and report from its auditors.

PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY98-02 reviews Philadelphia’s fiscal outlook, emphasizing long-term financial planning, debt management, and municipal workforce efficiency.

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.

The Revenue Stress in the City of Philadelphia report assesses the pressures on Philadelphia’s revenue base and the structural challenges limiting its financial flexibility. It examines economic trends, demographic shifts, and the reliance on volatile tax sources, emphasizing the need for strategic fiscal planning to mitigate future risks.

The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY96 Annual Report provides an overview of the Authority's activities, financial oversight, and analysis of the City of Philadelphia’s fiscal condition over the past year. It includes key findings from PICA’s financial reviews, budget analyses, and policy recommendations aimed at ensuring the City's long-term financial stability as well as the Authority's financial statements and report from its auditors.

PICA's Continuing Economic Decline: A Foreboding Future for Philadelphia white paper from FY97 examines the city’s ongoing job and population losses, highlighting the risks these trends pose to revenue generation and service delivery. The report underscores the urgency of reversing economic decline to maintain fiscal stability and sustain critical public services.

PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY97-01 reviews Philadelphia’s budget framework, identifying revenue challenges, expenditure trends, and financial risks.

The State of Funding of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services report examines the financial challenges facing Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services (DHS), with a focus on state funding processes. It highlights issues with Pennsylvania’s needs-based budget system, identifying inefficiencies and inequities that result in unpredictable funding levels and increased financial burdens on the City.