California Issues (Audio)

A panel of experts explores the following questions: What is Chapter 9 and is it a viable and efficient way to address municipal distress? Do you expect changes to the bankruptcy code to deal with the enormous stress facing distressed municipalities? What are some of the best alternatives to save cost, including cross-jurisdiction and public-private strategies? Can you privatize or outsource all of a city's services? What are the ramifications? What should be the response of credit markets to municipal fiscal stress? Are there exemplars of restructured governments? What factors are required for success? Series: "Institute of Governmental Studies, UC Berkeley (IGS)" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 24252]

A panel of experts provides an overview of the state and local dimensions of public pension liability. The panel also evaluates the political and financial viability of potential paths to pension reform in California. Series: "Institute of Governmental Studies, UC Berkeley (IGS)" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 24253]

This panel examines California’s fiscal crisis at the state and local levels. After providing an overview of the fiscal crisis confronting California, the panel focuses on a number of issues: Which cities in California are struggling the most and why? Are Vallejo, Stockton, and San Bernardino the edge of a tide of bankruptcies? How does California’s financial condition compare to other states? How much of California’s fiscal stress is caused by cyclical factors as compared to structural factors? Series: "Institute of Governmental Studies, UC Berkeley (IGS)" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 24250]

This panel examines the political and financial contexts within which communities address fiscal stress. Although the options are quite large, the panel explores a number of questions. How does the initiative process shape incentives and options for managing fiscal stress and related issues? What happens when a city falls behind in its responsibilities to provide timely financial reports and budgets? What constitutes insolvency? Why was AB506 adopted and how has it shifted the rules of the game in managing fiscal stress? Is municipal bankruptcy really so terrible? What kinds of deals can localities strike with their creditors and contractors to reduce the magnitude of debt burdens and fiscal stress? Is it possible to restructure local finances without succumbing to bankruptcy? Series: "Institute of Governmental Studies, UC Berkeley (IGS)" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 24251]

Stories from around California produced by graduate students at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. Series: "California News Service (CNS)" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 23841]

Stories from around the globe produced by graduate students at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. Series: "California News Service (CNS)" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 23840]

News stories from the graduate students at UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Series: "California News Service (CNS)" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 23746]

Stories from around California produced by graduate students at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. Series: "California News Service (CNS)" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 23747]

News magazine from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Series: "California News Service (CNS)" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 23602]