[Rudder]

I have to wonder if pension and health care obligations could be part of what's driving this.

Oh, it sure isn't helping, that's clear. The retirement boom is just hitting the fan and dragging along the whole package: health care and pension funded checks every month. The State-as-employer used these as seduction to get better long-term workers, now they be biting back.

[Ken H]

Agree. In addition, federal revenue grants used for hiring more teachers, health workers, etc. further increase the cities' obligations. AFAIK, the feds aren't on the hook for those costs.