Cities Prepare for Economic Downturn.

• Position: National Governors' Association report - Brief Article

After years of record revenues, cities are tightening their budgets as gloomy economic forecasts prove true. In a recent report, the National Governors' Association said the forecast for state budgets is "cloudy" as revenue slows and health care costs grow. States traditionally pinch aid to cities when times are tough. In preparation for that, the National League of Cities is urging cities to "take the longer, deeper view," a League report says. Many city officials, however, say that this time, they are far better prepared to handle economic changes than they were a decade ago...