About the Journal

Public Finance Journal is a biannual journal publishing peer-reviewed research that examines and analyzes contemporary issues in budgeting and finance and explores the applicability of solution sets. The journal is published by the Government Finance Officers Association and is a forum for discussion on significant issues related to the advancement of our scientific understanding.


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Current Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025)

Front Matter

Abstract 121 | PDF Downloads 36

Page i-ii

Table of Contents

Abstract 66 | PDF Downloads 34

Page 83-84

Editorials

Introduction to the Issue

Craig S. Maher, Bruce D. McDonald III
Abstract 59 | PDF Downloads 37

Page 83-84

Research Articles

Using Large Language Models to Forecast Local Government Revenue

Il Hwan Chung, Berat Kara, Melissa F. McShea, Rahul Pathak, Daniel Williams
Abstract 189 | PDF Downloads 109

Page 85-98

Is There a Gold Standard or Need for a City-Centric Approach for Sales Tax Revenue Forecasting

Sarah E. Larson, Michael R. Overton
Abstract 87 | PDF Downloads 51

Page 99-120

An Engaging Opportunity

David Mitchell, Kaelan A. Boyd, Meagan M. Jordan
Abstract 108 | PDF Downloads 61

Page 142-159

Book Reviews

Holding Government to Account

Arushi Thakorlal
Abstract 40 | PDF Downloads 47

Page 160-163

Critical Tax Theory

Carl J. Gabrini
Abstract 56 | PDF Downloads 42

Page 164-167

Managing Public Pension Plans

Jean-Claude Ndongo
Abstract 58 | PDF Downloads 68

Page 168-171

Back Matter

Abstract 44 | PDF Downloads 37

Page iii-iv

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Welcome to Public Finance Journal!

The Public Finance Journal serves as a forum for discussion on significant issues related to the advancement of our scientific understanding. Articles are chosen for publication based on the originality, importance, interdisciplinary interest, timeliness, and accessibility. As a journal focused on connecting the science with the practice in public budgeting and finance, all manuscripts must connect the study with the needs and interests of both the scientific and practitioner communities for the field.

The mission of PF is to serve those engaged in public budgeting and finance through the publication of significant advances in the science of the discipline that conveys both theoretical importance and timely application.

Guiding Principles of Public Finance Journal:

  • Public Finance is an open access journal that is committed to the community of practice.
  • All articles published adhere to the standards of peer review and the ethical standards of the Committee on Publication Ethics.
  • We encourage the posting of open data and methods for all articles published.
  • Both replications and manuscripts with null results are important to the scientific process.