Analysing cutback management strategies amidst the Covid 19 pandemic: Insights from Pennsylvania municipalities

Theodore Arapis and Vaswati Chatterjee

Public Money & Management, 2025, vol. 45, issue 1, 22-33

Abstract: This study examines cutback strategies of Pennsylvania’s local governments during the Covid 19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of pandemic risk perceptions and managerial efficacy beliefs in shaping these strategies. It was found that heightened risk perception decreased the likelihood of expenditure cuts, while a strong belief in a jurisdiction's crisis preparedness often resulted in such cuts to manage budget shortfalls. Revenue enhancement strategies were preferred by governments engaging communities in response efforts. The study also underscores the efficacy of professional governments, particularly council–manager led ones, in implementing productivity gains over expenditure reductions. Although based in the USA, the findings offer global insights for managing resources during health crises, enhancing societal resilience, and providing a model for adaptable governance across diverse fiscal and socio-political contexts.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/09540962.2024.2305681

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