On the occasion of the third anniversary of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Biden administration reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the nation’s infrastructure with the announcement of $3.4 billion in new grants. These funds signify a continuation of the ambitious goals set forth by the IIJA, which has already allocated nearly $570
Politics
In a significant move that underscores the tensions between local government branches, the Chicago City Council recently delivered a staunch denunciation of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s fiscal planning for 2025. The Council decisively dismissed a proposal for a $300 million increase in property taxes that Johnson argued was essential to address a staggering $982 million budget
In a pivotal decision for the city of Dallas, voters endorsed Proposition U—a public safety spending measure aimed at bolstering the city’s police force and enhancing pension funding. Securing 50.47% of the vote on November 5, this measure compels the city to allocate at least 50% of any annual revenue growth towards public safety initiatives.
Oklahoma County is currently navigating significant hurdles in its initiative to replace a long-troubled jail facility. The necessity for a new structure has gained urgency, particularly as the county faces rising costs and challenges in pinpointing an appropriate location for construction. This predicament highlights the broader issues in public infrastructure funding, where economic pressures and
Chicago is experiencing a critical juncture in its financial management as Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) has recently placed the city’s A general obligation bond rating on a Watch Downgrade status. This decision aligns with the City Council’s impending vote on a contentious $300 million property tax increase—an initiative embedded in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed
The contentious issue of congestion pricing in New York has recently gained renewed scrutiny as the political climate shifts dramatically with the election of Donald Trump. With a vocal promise to terminate the pricing plan in his first week back in office, the future of this important financial strategy for public transport has been thrown
The landscape of municipal bond audits is experiencing significant changes, largely influenced by variations in the budget allocated to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). As the new administration navigates its fiscal policies, the connection between IRS funding and audit frequency provides an insightful lens into the potential outcomes for municipal issuers. This article aims to
On a significant electoral day for the Southeast region of the United States, three prominent bond referendums received strong support from voters in Nashville, Charlotte, and Fairfax County, while similar initiatives faced setbacks in Cary and Lancaster County. This electoral decision reflects a shifting landscape of priorities among residents, who seem eager to invest in
The recent decision by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) to issue $1 billion in revenue bonds demonstrates the complexities and challenges facing infrastructure projects in the state. As the ACCESS Oklahoma expansion program’s projected budget climbs to an astonishing $8.2 billion, a multitude of factors have converged to complicate this ambitious initiative. When the ACCESS
The dynamics surrounding the recent political elections in the United States have set off considerable ripples within the financial markets, particularly in the realm of municipal bonds. As the specter of former President Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House looms, the analyses of Congressional control seem to wield significant implications for municipal investors.