This is the first time for at least two decades that all three major general tax sources — property, income and sales — have all declined at the same time. That’s the real frightening thing for cities.

—Michael A. Pagano, a co-author of the report and dean of the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois, Chicago

In a survey of more than 300 municipalities released last month, the National League of Cities reported that four out of five finance officers said their cities would be less able to meet needs in 2009 than this year. The group called the findings troubling, with no sign of getting better.

Financial Crisis Takes a Toll on Already-Squeezed CitiesBy SUSAN SAULNYPublished: October 7, 2008City officials across the country say they are feeling increasingly helpless as the national economic crisis eats away at the core sources of municipal revenue.