California Universities Face a $17 Billion Growth Ponzi Scheme
May 07, 2025•56 min•Ep. 251
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Episode description
As of the 2023-24 academic year, the University of California faces $9.1 billion in deferred maintenance, while California State University faces $8.3 billion. In today’s episode, Chuck and Abby explore how this problem arose, how it mirrors the challenges cities are facing, and what it'll take to manage this decline.
ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES-
“Inside a $17 billion maintenance backlog plaguing California’s universities” by Victoria Mejicanos, Matthew Reagan and Mercy Sosa, CalMatters (April 2025).
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Learn more about the Growth Ponzi Scheme and how to evaluate your own city’s financial position.
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Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).
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Chuck Marohn (Substack)
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