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Over the course of 1996, the Benchmarks team of reporters, artists and editors developed 43 measurements of civic performance and used them to compare the Pittsburgh region to 14 other similar America cities. Their findings highlighted Pittsburgh weaknesses in exports, job growth, business startups, new and expanded facilities, construction, population growth, population age, migration, labor force participation, unemployment, per capita income, smart government, bond ratings, cost of living, black infant mortality, medical costs, and air quality. In particular, their work put a spotlight on the hidden costs of civic fragmentation, best illustrated by the fact that Allegheny County, the metro county surrounding Pittsburgh, is home to 130 other independent municipalities, each wit its own taxing powers, bureaucracy and debt structure. (March 31, June 30, October 20, December 1, 29, 1996)