Fiscal Conditions in Selected Metropolitan Areas

Abstract

This paper presents the initial steps to better understand the current fiscal condition of local governments within metropolitan areas and to establish the extent to which fiscal disparities exist within a sample of U.S. metropolitan areas. The primary focus is to determine the extent to which fiscal institutions within a metropolitan area taxing authority, mandates, expenditure responsibilities, intergovernmental grants-in-aid, regional governance contribute to the fiscal health of local governments within metropolitan areas.