Donna M. Handley

FINANCIAL DISTRESS AND MUNICIPAL BANKRUPTCY: THE CASE OF PRICHARD, ALABAMA

Since 1934, the federal government has provided a process for municipalities to declare bankruptcy, and approximately 500 governments have done so. In recent years, an average of less than one city government declares bankruptcy each year. In this article, the authors identify five factors that contribute to financial distress for cities which, if left unattended, can lead to municipal bankruptcy. This discussion is followed by an examination of the events that led to the bankruptcy of the City of Prichard, Alabama, once a prosperous suburb of Mobile. The authors conclude that this municipal bankruptcy occurred, in large part, because Prichard failed to face the factors of financial distress identified by the authors in the years prior to filing for bankruptcy.

City Adoption of Federal Performance Measurement Requirements: Perspectives from Community Development Block Grant Program Administrators

Performance measurement and management have become pervasive across levels of government and areas of programmatic emphasis. The Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUDs) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement program, facing cuts and reorganization under the second Bush administration, adopted enhanced performance measurement as a tool to increase program-wide accountability. Entitlement cities vary in terms of organizational characteristics, including local goals, that affect their perception of, adoption of, and ultimately the success of HUDs federal performance measurement requirements. Goal incongruence is thought to shape city satisfaction with new federal performance measurement and reporting requirements. This article utilizes data from an original survey of CDBG program administrators and U.S. Census data to determine which factors affect city adoption of HUD performance measurement requirements. Results indicate varied satisfaction and effectiveness among local grant administrators using HUD-imposed measures and can be used to inform other intergovernmental grant programs.

Hurricane Katrina Mississippi's Response

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a number of cities along Mississippis Gulf Coast were forced to rebuild their communities. This article examines the disaster response efforts of these cities, led by the State of Mississippi. To address both short- and long-term recovery efforts, Mississippi leaders focused on coordinating with a renewed vision for gaming and tourism that economically supports the economy of south Mississippi. This strategy employed by Mississippi provides a useful framework that points out the importance of public leadership and vision, public input, infrastructure and economic recovery, and an intergovernmental regional recovery plan. As a result of the coordinated response, Mississippi communities have created an articulated vision for the future of their respective communities.

The ASPA Journals: Who Is Publishing?

Abstract Journals associated with the American Society for Public Administration are recognized by scholars as primary channels for leading research and academic endeavors and serve as vital outlets for the development and dissemination of knowledge in the field of public administration.The authors examine these journals from 1993-2002 to determine who is publishing and what universities or other organizations they represent in order to uncover the dynamics that are quietly occurring in the discipline. Following an analysis of the articles and journals, the authors conclude by encouraging academics to enlist the involvement of practitioners and graduate students to enhance the contribution of these journals to the field of public administration.