Policy Briefs
Analysis of the economic forces shaping local government finances property tax law, pension reform, state aid formulas, shared services, and more. Every brief is independent, cited, and free to read.
No briefs published yet. The first brief is coming soon.
Topics we cover
Property Tax Policy
How property tax caps, exemptions, and assessments shape local revenue and housing affordability.
Municipal Fiscal Stress
Structural deficits, fund balance erosion, and the warning signs of a town heading toward insolvency.
Pension & OPEB Reform
The unfunded liability crisis in public employee retirement systems and its impact on local budgets.
Shared Services
How small governments can consolidate services and what stops them from doing so.
State Aid & Formulas
How state governments distribute aid to municipalities and who gets left behind.
Economic Development
Tax incentives, TIF districts, and whether economic development subsidies actually pay off.