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Featured Publications
Debt and Pensions
Fact Sheet
Debt and Taxes: Tax-Exempt vs. Taxable Bonds
April 13, 2026
Cities can lower borrowing costs by issuing tax-exempt bonds, but these come with restrictions that limit how funds can be used, particularly for projects that aren’t publicly owned. Taxable bonds offer greater flexibility for investments like affordable housing and neighborhood development, though they typically carry higher interest costs. Choosing between these financing tools requires balancing…
Debt and Pensions
Fact Sheet
Digging Into (and Out of) Debt
April 6, 2026
Philadelphia’s General Fund-supported debt declined by about nine percent over the past decade, even as the City continued to borrow for major investments in infrastructure, housing, and public facilities. This progress reflects consistent repayment of older obligations, including pension-related borrowing and legacy debts from prior fiscal challenges. Looking ahead, with annual debt service expected to…
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
Fact Sheet
Proposed FY27-31 Five-Year Plan Fiscal Highlights
March 17, 2026
Philadelphia’s proposed FY27–31 Five-Year Plan maintains positive fund balances in each year, but projects operating deficits in four of five years and a steady decline in reserves over time. Revenues are expected to grow by 10.3 percent over the Plan period, driven primarily by local taxes, while spending growth is more modest but still exceeds…
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY1996
October 15, 1996
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.
Policy Analysis & Issue Briefs
White Paper
Continuing Economic Decline: A Foreboding Future for Philadelphia
October 15, 1996
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 Reports on Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
PICA Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia’s FY97-01 Five-Year Plan
April 30, 1996
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.
Revenue Analysis & Outlook
Issue Paper
Staff Report on State Funding of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services
December 15, 1995
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.
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY1995
October 17, 1995
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY95 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 Reports on Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
PICA Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia’s FY96-00 Five-Year Plan
April 17, 1995
PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY96-00 evaluates Philadelphia’s budgetary outlook, focusing on labor contract negotiations, pension liabilities, and departmental spending controls.
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY1994
November 30, 1994
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY94 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 Governing Documents
PICA Bylaws
Bylaws of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority
July 18, 1994
PICA's Bylaws goverrn how the organization is run and structured. It outlines the members of the Board, how meetins occur, and other aspects of the operations of PICA.
PICA Reports on Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
PICA Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia’s FY95-99 Five-Year Plan
May 2, 1994
PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY95-99 assesses Philadelphia’s financial health, analyzing projected revenue streams, expenditure obligations, and fiscal risks over a five-year period.
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY1993
November 1, 1993
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY93 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 Reports on Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
PICA Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia’s FY94-98 Five-Year Plan
April 14, 1993
PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY94-98 reviews Philadelphia’s fiscal policies, revenue projections, and budget challenges, focusing on expenditure management and debt obligations.
PICA Annual Report
Annual Report
PICA Annual Report FY1992
October 31, 1992
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) FY92 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 Reports on Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia's Five-Year Plan
PICA Staff Report on the City of Philadelphia’s FY92-96 Five-Year Plan
June 4, 1992
PICA's Staff Report on The Five-Year Financial Plan for FY92-96 assesses Philadelphia’s revenue streams, expenditure trends, and financial challenges while outlining budget priorities and risk management strategies.
PICA Governing Documents
PICA Act
Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority Act for Cities of the First Class, as Amended 2022
June 5, 1991
The PICA Act is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania statute, originally passed in 1991 and most recently amended in 2022, that established PICA. It outlines the reasons why PICA is necessary and the structure and role of the Authority, as well as requirements for the City of Philadelphia.