Cities in Distress

(Formerly Law 735) Despite the end of the Great Recession, serious fiscal challenges remain for many urban and rural local governments. This course will focus on these places and what they need from state and local government. Subjects will include: (1) the basics of local finance; (2) an introduction to the primary causes of local fiscal distress; (3) tools for state and federal governance of city finances and financial distress (including municipal bankruptcy and state receiverships); and (4) the local public sector's role in anti-poverty work, especially after significant losses in local employment. The course will feature readings focused on places (both urban and rural) across the country. Class performance will be evaluated based on class participation, an in-class presentation, and weekly reflection papers of 3-5 pages each week for most of our topics. Completion or co-enrollment with Local Government or Land Use Law is useful but not required. Elements Used in Grading: Class Participation, Attendance, Written Assignments or Research Paper. After the term begins, students accepted into the course can transfer from section (01) into section (02), which meets the R requirement, with consent of the instructor. CONSENT APPLICATION: To apply for this course, students must complete and submit a Consent Application Form available on the SLS website (Click Courses at the bottom of the homepage and then click Consent of Instructor Forms). See Consent Application Form for instructions and submission deadline.