If Detroit Went Bankrupt, Why Is Philadelphia Paying?

When Detroit filed for bankruptcy last week, city comptrollers and treasurers around the country held their collective breaths. That’s because cities, it turns out, don’t file for bankruptcy in a vacuum.

Philadelphia is already feeling the effects of Detroit’s bankruptcy.

That city will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional interest costs over the next 20 years because the interest rate on Philly’s new $197 million bond offering is going up a quarter percent.

We talk to WHYY senior reporter Dave Davies about why that’s happening, and what — if anything — cities can do to insulate themselves from future fiscal woes.

• WHYY: Detroit’s collapse may cost Philly $500,000 a year

Guest

• Dave Davies, senior reporter for WHYY in Philadelphia. He’s also guest host for NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross. He tweets @DaveDaviesWHYY.

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