Special Briefing Series

Special Briefing is a monthly event series and podcast covering critical issues impacting the fiscal health of cities and states. Co-hosted by Penn IUR Fellow and Volcker Alliance Senior Director William Glasgall and Penn IUR Co-Director Susan Wachter, the series features online conversations with experts from national research networks, along with other leading academics, economists, and government leaders. 

Special Briefing: AI in Government—More Efficiency but Fewer Workers?

digital government icons over hands at keyboard
Special Briefing Series Online
November 20, 2025
Special Briefing: AI in Government—More Efficiency but Fewer Workers?

Artificial Intelligence is slowly making its way into state and local government, heralding a new era of governmental efficiency while threatening the jobs of almost 18 million workers.

William Glasgall Susan Wachter Jon Hartley Megan Kilgore Howard Neukrug Leigh Palmer Thomas Sanchez
State & Local Finance
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Special Briefing Series October 16, 2025 Special Briefing: Strategies for Closing the US Infrastructure Gap The October 16 Special Briefing addressed how states are working to close the $1 Trillion deferred infrastructure maintenance gap, among other infrastructure topics. Speakers:  William Glasgall Susan Wachter Leslie Richards Camila Fonseca Sarmiento Geoffrey Buswick Fatima Yousofi Hughey Newsome State & Local Finance Special Briefing Series September 11, 2025 Special Briefing on the Muni Debt Boom: Record Borrowing Amid Budget Strains On September 11, 2005, Bill Glasgall and Susan Wachter return for a Special Briefing with an expert panel to address the record-shattering boom in state and local borrowing. Speakers:  William Glasgall Susan Wachter Matt Fabian Fitzroy Lee Vikram Rai Sheila Weinberg Mark Zandi State & Local Finance

Past Events

Jul 27 2023 Past Event Special Briefing: The Future of Mass Transportation as US Pandemic Aid Nears an End State & Local Finance Urban Development
Jun 15 2023 Past Event Special Briefing: The Debt Ceiling Deal and its Impact on the U.S. Economy, States, and Municipalities State & Local Finance
May 18 2023 Past Event Special Briefing: Avoiding Municipal Distress State & Local Finance
Apr 27 2023 Past Event Special Briefing: America's Hottest States & Cities: Managing Growth State & Local Finance
Mar 30 2023 Past Event Special Briefing: Revitalizing Downtowns by Turning Offices Into Homes Housing State & Local Finance
Feb 16 2023 Past Event Special Briefing: State & Local Budgets in Uncertain Times State & Local Finance
Jan 19 2023 Past Event Special Briefing: The Future of Downtowns State & Local Finance Urban Development
Dec 15 2022 Past Event Special Briefing: 2023 Outlook for States and Localities State & Local Finance
Oct 20 2022 Past Event Special Briefing: The Inflation Reduction Act: Investment Opportunities and Challenges State & Local Finance
Sep 15 2022 Past Event Special Briefing: Stagflation Ahead? Inflation and Recession State & Local Finance
Jul 21 2022 Past Event Special Briefing on Vulnerable Cities Facing Work from Home Realities State & Local Finance
Jun 23 2022 Past Event Special Briefing on States Cutting Taxes: Relief Now, Shortfalls Later? State & Local Finance
May 19 2022 Past Event Special Briefing on the Deployment of the $1 Trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by States and Localities State & Local Finance
Apr 21 2022 Past Event Special Briefing on Inflation and Recession Risks for States and Cities State & Local Finance
Mar 17 2022 Past Event Special Briefing on Work from Home: What it Means for State and Local Economies and Revenues State & Local Finance
Feb 17 2022 Past Event Special Briefing on New York City: New Mayor, Federal Aid, Challenges to Recovery State & Local Finance
Jan 20 2022 Past Event Special Briefing: 2022 Outlook for States and Cities State & Local Finance
Dec 16 2021 Past Event Special Briefing on State and City Spending of Federal Infrastructure Funds State & Local Finance
Nov 18 2021 Past Event Special Briefing on Climate Change, Federal Aid and State and Local Strategies Climate Change & Resilience
Oct 21 2021 Past Event Special Briefing on the Biden Infrastructure Plan: Unmet Needs and State of Play

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