When we look at the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB), we see a critical organization poised at a complex intersection of regulation and innovation. In their recent quarterly board meeting, which took place on April 23 and April 24, the MSRB explored potential changes to its rate card and solicited feedback on a municipal fund
Politics
Michael Lissack’s recent venture into the realm of municipal finance, particularly his book “The Inefficiency Of Municipal Tax Exemption,” offers radical proposals aimed at addressing budget shortages through the elimination of tax-exempt status for municipal bonds. While the author presents this as a solution to the persistent federal deficits, it comes off as an oversimplified
The clash between Oklahoma’s Republican state treasurer, Todd Russ, and attorney general, Gentner Drummond, underscores a troubling trend within the political fabric of the state. Their feud—ignited over the defense of an anti-environmental regulation and social governance law—entails lessons far beyond the confines of the courtroom. The squabble reveals a deeper political malaise that portends
In recent years, the topic of transportation funding has escalated into a controversial battleground, not only at the local level but also nationally. With two-thirds of states investigating alternative funding mechanisms for their crumbling infrastructures, a notable development has emerged from Indiana. The Indiana General Assembly has passed a contentious bill permitting tolls on all
The recent shake-up regarding the revitalization of New York’s Pennsylvania Station represents a pivotal moment in urban infrastructure management. The decision by the Trump administration to supplant the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) with Amtrak as the primary steward of the $7 billion makeover raises a host of questions about efficacy, governance, and the future of
The purported 90-day pause on tariffs offers no real relief; in fact, it is an unfortunate deception that cloaks the reality of a protracted trade conflict, primarily with China. With tariffs soaring to a staggering 145% on various goods—steel, aluminum, and automotive parts, to name a few—we find ourselves in a precarious situation that could
The Ohio House recently approved a controversial operating budget that introduces a significant limitation for its public school districts. By capping carryover balances at 30% of annual operating costs, lawmakers have ignited a debate that goes beyond mere fiscal management; it raises fundamental questions about the priorities of state officials and their commitment to the
In a striking revelation, Houston Mayor John Whitmire has announced a significant financial agreement that appears to pave the way for solving some of the city’s lingering infrastructure woes. The need for this pact stemmed from a lawsuit filed in 2019 that threatened to ensnare the city in a spiraling fiscal crisis, mandating a minimum
The recent denials of disaster recovery funding by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for troubled states like Washington and North Carolina expose a growing chasm in our government’s response to natural disasters. When severe storms and hurricanes are wreaking havoc, citizens expect—but often do not receive—the support they desperately need. It’s a systemic failure
In a bold—and arguably reckless—move, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently enacted Assembly Bill 100, authorizing an astounding $2.8 billion injection into Medi-Cal, the state’s version of Medicaid. This funding allocation is presented as a necessary response to “higher-than-anticipated” costs associated with expanding health care services. However, the decision demonstrates a troubling trend of prioritizing ideological