Addressing Systemic Racism
Systemic racism — and systemic bias — are fundamentally wrong, unjust and at odds with effective governance and the overall soundness of a local economy. In other words, it is against everything that we stand for and that our clients should stand for. But it is not enough to just acknowledge the problem. In our role as trusted advisors to state and local government, we are obligated to act. We have already done so. And we are committed to doing more.
Eliminating
Criminal
Fines & Fees
Criminal justice fines and fees are a regressive “poor tax” and often have a disparate impact on Black and Latinx communities. These streams of revenue are typically “high pain” for the financial burdens that they impose, and “low gain” given the difficulty in collection. Even so, local governments across the country have become overly reliant on them to fund government operations. The Center works with local governments to reduce the use of fines and fees, including conducting some of the first comprehensive reviews at the county level.
Driving Innovation & Change
The Center works with cities and counties across the country to drive fiscal and operational innovation, sustainability, and affordability for complex public safety and justice issues. From jails and courts to police and fire departments, we are experts in the field of criminal justice and public safety with a record of producing results for our clients and their communities.
Budgeting In Uncertain Times
Prior to COVID-19, criminal justice and public safety best practices focused on both increasing justice and safety, and reducing costs. As local governments face unprecedented fiscal challenges from the pandemic, what were previously considered best practices are now imperative practices for many jurisdictions. Watch our recent roundtable discussion, where practitioners and our experts provide a high-level framework to begin confronting the significant and evolving challenges around budget, criminal justice, and public safety during the most uncertain times.
In the News
Perspectives
Join Our Team
We’re not currently hiring, but we’re always looking for bright and dedicated individuals to join our team at PFM. If you’d like to share your resume for future opportuinities, please send it to JusticeSafetyFinance@pfm.com. PFM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.