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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Nonprofit Neighborhoods

Kenneth W. Hunter
Abstract 1 | PDF Downloads 0

Informing Voters About Public Finance

Carolyn Abott, Matthew B. Incantalupo, Akheil Singla
Abstract 0 | PDF Downloads 0 Appendix Downloads 0

What Does the Public Really Want to Know About Public Finance?

Kip Murray, Cathy Landry
Abstract 0 | PDF Downloads 0

Local Management of Federal Grants

Austin M. Aldag
Abstract 0 | PDF Downloads 0

Current Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024)

Front Matter

Abstract 91 | PDF Downloads 48

Page i-ii

Table of Contents

Abstract 86 | PDF Downloads 34

Page 91-92

Research Articles

Social Equity in Budgeting

John R. Bartle, Marilyn Marks Rubin
Abstract 432 | PDF Downloads 304

Page 93-103

Savings Lost

Andrew Kalotay, Martin J. Luby
Abstract 140 | PDF Downloads 85 Appendix Downloads 0

Page 104-124

Decoding the Relationship Between Economic Growth and Fiscal Health

Saman Afshan, Ha B. Vien
Abstract 284 | PDF Downloads 160 Appendix Downloads 0

Page 125-136

What are Cash-Balance Pension Plans and How Do They Compare?

Michael E. M. Lee, Trang Hoang, Craig S. Maher
Abstract 159 | PDF Downloads 101

Page 137-158

Book Reviews

The Black Tax

Hunter Bacot
Abstract 143 | PDF Downloads 86

Page 159-161

The Government Analytics Handbook

Adam Eckerd, Ron Carlee
Abstract 153 | PDF Downloads 111

Page 162-167

Understanding Municipal Financial Health

Craig L. Johnson
Abstract 237 | PDF Downloads 154

Page 168-170

Back Matter

Abstract 66 | PDF Downloads 26

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.