Description

As local governments respond to fiscal stress after the global financial crisis, some scholars warn about an austerity urbanism response wherein local governments cut and privatize services, while others see a pragmatic municipalism response that seeks to protect public services by sharing services, applying for more grants, or charging user fees. Using a structural equation model with 2017 survey data of 919 counties and municipalities in New York State, the paper explores the drivers of perceived fiscal stress and two responses: cuts and pragmatic municipalism

Photo: Magda Elhers