Elizabeth Reich
Showing 1–2 of 2 transcripts.
- Milken Institute30 min
City CFOs Report from the Frontlines of Public Finance
Lois Scott, Brendan Hanlon, Jennie Huang Bennett, Elizabeth Reich, Jenny Bennett
Chicago, Dallas, and Denver successfully navigated post-pandemic fiscal crises by balancing structural deficits with strategic recovery plans, though each city faced distinct challenges regarding pension funding, sales tax volatility, and personnel costs. While Chicago directed $1.2 billion toward community safety and tech-sector growth, Dallas expanded its general fund reserves to 74 days of operations, and Denver prioritized mental health investments to address downtown vacancy rates that peaked at 30%. All three municipalities also adopted proactive cybersecurity frameworks and leveraged federal infrastructure funds to mitigate long-term risks without permanently compromising service levels.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
The State of State and Local with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot
Lori Lightfoot, Emily Brock, Austan Goolsbee, Michael Piwowar, Tobias Read, Elizabeth Reich, Simone Brody, Mike Pivovar
Led by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, city officials and economic experts convened to address Chicago's $1.2 billion pandemic-induced deficit while discussing nationwide strategies for fiscal recovery. Panelists highlighted the critical need for unrestricted federal stimulus to offset plummeting tax revenues in the service and tourism sectors, contrasting current challenges with the structural vulnerabilities revealed by the 2008 recession. Participants also outlined long-term approaches to bridge these gaps, including Chicago's $750 million equity investment in underfunded neighborhoods and proposals to reform public education and municipal borrowing practices.