The recession has heightened financial tensions between universities and local governments, with public officials increasingly seeking payments from major tax-exempt organizations for services, The Chronicle of Higher Education reports.

Legal and political hurdles have so far derailed efforts such as Pittsburgh’s proposal to tax tuition payments, but such battles are likely to continue until an economic recovery eases state and city budget gaps, the news organization reports. The problem is particularly acute in the Northeast, with its large concentration of colleges.

The article is part of a package of stories on the issue. Other pieces include an in-depth look at the Pittsburgh debate, a review of existing agreements between schools and cities, and a commentary by a law professor on the legal and political aspects of town-gown money battles.

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