Special Briefing

In reviewing the newly released Volcker Alliance report, Truth and Integrity in State Budgeting: Preparing for the Storm, panelists discuss fiscal reforms that many states put in place before the 2020 recession as well as the role of trillions of dollars in federal aid in restarting the economy and stabilizing state budgets. This special briefing features a panel of experts, including Erica MacKel...

With the beginning of COVID-19 vaccine availability to the general population change is on the horizon for state and local economies, with panelists discussing the Biden Administration’s COVID-19 vaccination plan and the impact on office work and state and local tax revenues and operations. This special briefing features a panel of experts, including Greg Brown, executive director, Kenan Institute...

After the passage of the second federal COVID-19 relief funding in late 2020, public finance experts discuss the outlook for further federal stimulus and state and local revenues and budgets as the rollout of new vaccines brings hope for an easing of the COVID-19 pandemic. This special briefing features a panel of experts, including Shelby Kerns, executive director, National Association of State B...

As Congress debates the details of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), panelists reflect on the lessons states and localities have learned from the spending of CARES Act funding and look ahead to what may be in store in the fight against COVID-19 and its fiscal fallout in 2021. This special briefing features a panel of experts, including US Representative...

With Congressional inaction on COVID-19 relief aid since the passage of the CARES Act in March 2020, panelists in this episode focus on how states and localities are addressing trillions of dollars in public employee retirement obligations as governments attempt to balance budgets amid the COVID-19 pandemic and recession. This special briefing features a panel of experts, including Donald J. Boyd,...

As governments look to balance budgets amid the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession, panelists discuss potential further steps such as delayed infrastructure projects that may be seen barring any further passage of federal relief funding. With states and municipalities providing an estimated 80 percent of US public infrastructure investment, the panel also discusses how the slowdown on s...

Navigating an unprecedented mix of challenges mayors across the US rely on innovative fiscal and managerial actions to navigate the lasting early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and new challenges on the horizon. In discussing these actions panelists touch on the research on city fiscal conditions by Professor Reschovsky as well as a new national survey of municipal leaders by Engaging Local Gove...

Estimates mid-2020 forecasted budgetary shortfalls of as much as $1 trillion, with uncertainty surrounding how state and local governments would close the gap panelists discuss the steps that public officials are deploying for the recession and eventual recovery. Additionally, the panelists contemplate the prospect of further federal relief. This special briefing features a panel of experts, inclu...

With unemployment remaining high in key service and tourism sectors, panelists discuss the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the labor market, the deterioration of the finances and credit outlooks of states and localities, and the role of further federal assistance and loans to governments, companies, and individuals. This special briefing features a panel of experts, including Timothy J. Bartik, seni...

As debate on further federal economic relief and aid packages continues in Washington DC, as panelists meet to discuss the politics, probability, and possible shape of such a package. They also examine the likelihood of state and local fiscal distress, and how it may be addressed, especially if deliberations fail to result in timely and significant further funding. This special briefing features a...

While cities and states navigate the repeal of pandemic related restrictions amid demonstrations and civil unrest, panelists discuss the US economic outlook as a whole and the early stages of the need for the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). This special briefing features a panel of experts, including Austan D. Goolsbee, Robert P. Gwinn professor of economi...

As states and cities have begun lifting restrictions set early in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, panelists discuss the challenges and opportunities facing US cities, especially midsized ones that face challenges in a changed economy. This special briefing features a panel of experts, including Bruce J. Katz, distinguished fellow, Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation at Drexel University; Steph...

As some state and local governments face dire revenue projections in the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic shutdown, panelists discuss strategies that public leaders can explore to generate additional cash by improving management of their physical assets. This special briefing features a panel of experts, including Michael A. Nutter, former Mayor, Philadelphia; Eric...

After trillions of dollars in pandemic-related expenditures were addressed with the CARES Act, panelists forecast the role Congress will play in helping state and local governments address hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue lost by economic shutdowns triggered by the pandemic. This special briefing features a panel of experts, including Early Blumenauer, Representative Third District of Or...

As the federal government continues to grow the fiscal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, experts from the government finance sector discuss the newly announced Federal Reserve Municipal Liquidity Facility (MLF) and how states, counties, cities, and public agencies could be able to access MLF credit to help offset projected revenue shortfalls. This special briefing features a panel of experts, inc...

With the passage of the CARES Act on March 27, 2020, expert panelists convene to discuss how states and localities could tap the massive aid and credit provided to address needs in late spring of 2020. Looking ahead, panelists also outline further the potential need for further aid to keep budgets in balance, preserve essential public services, and prevent critical infrastructure from deterioratin...

Experts on state and local public finance join to estimate in April 2020 which cities would be most vulnerable to budgetary shocks resulting from the then just beginning COVID-19 pandemic and the strategies they could employ to see them through crisis and eventual recovery. This special briefing feature a panel of experts, including Shirley Clarke Franklin, former mayor of Atlanta, Georgia; Mary M...

In a Special Briefing hosted by the Volcker Alliance and Penn IUR in the opening days of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts focus on the economic and fiscal scenarios posed by the coronavirus pandemic for US states and municipalities as well as how governments may choose to deploy fiscal reserves to help preserve essential services. This special briefing features a panel of experts, including Katherin...

The Volcker Alliance and Penn Institute for Urban Research cohost a special briefing discussing the strategies for surmounting the severe fiscal challenges that the coronavirus pandemic is posing for US states and municipalities in April of 2020. This special briefing features a panel of experts, including Thomas W. Ross, president of the Volcker Alliance, Richard A. Ravitch, former New York State...

Special Briefing brings federal, state, and local government leaders together with prominent researchers, economists, and investors to reflect on today’s most salient and critical public finance issues.