Philadelphia Is Launching the First Public Bank Owned by a City

Is this an amazing idea that could have transformative benefits for people…or a horrible idea ripe for corruption and mismanagement?

Upzoned, Podcast, Top Story, FinanceStrong TownsMay 18, 2022Podcast, podcast, Upzoned, banks, finance, local finance, Philadelphia

A Minnesota Judge Throws the Book at Immoral Tax Assessments

This case shows why local governments need to do a better job accounting for maintenance costs.

Finance, Infrastructure, Marohn, Top StoryCharles MarohnMay 9, 2022maintenance, finance, local finance, municipal finance, Assessments, local government, infrastructure maintenance, Infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure cost, Minnesota, Law

It Isn’t Just Us, the Entire Nation Is Burdened With Property Tax Inequities

Recently, the North Carolina Ad Hoc Appraisals Committee was challenged to face their own biases and fix their broken property tax assessment system. Here’s what happened.

Truth in Accounting: Making Cities' Finances Transparent for All

Citizens can’t make informed decisions if they don’t know the financial condition of their government. This nonpartisan nonprofit is making those numbers both available and transparent.

Podcast, Marohn, ST Podcast, Finance, Local Government, Top StoryStrong TownsFebruary 14, 2022Podcast, finance, local finance, public finance, municipal finance, nonprofit sector, local government, Municipalism

Holy Leaping Dollars, Batman!

Unless we start making better accounting choices today, we’ll be facing service cuts and tax increases every year going forward. …That is, until the day we can’t anymore.

Can Navigating Your City's Budget Be...Fun??

Making city budgets accessible to the average citizen is crucial for building stronger places. Here’s 4 examples of cities that made their budgets not only accessible, but even fun!

#StrongCitizens, Finance, Local Government, Davis, Success Story, Top StorySarah DavisSeptember 23, 2021finance, local finance, municipal finance, local government, local gov, cities, budget, success, success stories

Cities Need More Flexibility in How They Tax

Cities are the economic engines of our society, yet as a recent report shows, their fiscal stability can be seriously affected by local tax limitations.

Finance, Herriges, Local Government, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesJuly 29, 2021tax revenue, municipal finance, state government, local finance, property tax

Why Communities Must Break Out of the Resource Trap

Resource-based communities rarely experience the prosperity their labor makes possible for others. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Marohn, Resource Trap, Top StoryCharles MarohnMay 17, 2021local finance, series, RBC Series, resource, community, resource trap, Resource Trap - Core Content

Bond Ratings are for Investors (Not Taxpayers)

A great credit rating is not a blessing for a young community if it is interpreted as a license to borrow without discipline.

Finance, Marohn, Top StoryCharles MarohnApril 26, 2021local government, Growth Ponzi Scheme, local finance, Eagan, Minnesota

How I Became a Strong Townie

“I was just a guy, in love with a city, asking it to make better use of my tax dollars.”

#DotheMath, Local Government, Membership, Success Story, Member Profiles, Top StoryMichel Durand-WoodNovember 18, 2020#DoTheMath, Winnipeg, local finance, local government, member drive, success stories, member testimonials

Will San Francisco's Caltrain Be the Pandemic's Next Casualty?

In some ways, Caltrain was in a better financial position than other public transit agencies. But the pandemic—and a political turf war—have thrown its future into jeopardy.