Kyle Glazier

Standard & Poor's has launched a web application that allows users to create rating scenarios for local governments based on the agency's actual methodology.

Sacramento, Calif. Mayor Kevin Johnson will become the new president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors when he is sworn in April 16, the group announced Thursday.

Market participants believe Detroit's settlement with three bond insurers Wednesday is a breakthrough in the city's bankruptcy proceedings, even though it is not final and leaves many questions unanswered.

Tender option bond market participants have two options available to keep those programs viable under the Volcker Rule, though neither is without risk or likely to please everybody with an interest in TOBs.

Federal lawmakers are examining the Canadian public-private partnership model for lessons to apply in the U.S., where a major infrastructure bank bill awaits action in both chambers of Congress.

States that pull back on their cost-cutting measures in response to improving economic conditions could harm their credit, but local governments are in good shape thanks to a housing market recovery, according to a new report from Standard & Poor's.

The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association has released model documents designed to help its members comply with the municipal advisor registration rule, which takes effect on July 1.

Twenty-two U.S. senators are urging Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Jo White to make sure municipal money market funds are exempted from proposed reforms, warning they will hurt state and local governments.

Three convicted bid-riggers filed documents with a federal appeals court this week arguing that their convictions should be overturned because of several errors by the lower court.

Two lawyers in the Securities and Exchange Commission's Office of Municipal Securities have been promoted, the SEC announced Wednesday.

Small financial advisory firms face the most challenges adapting to the new rules and regulations governing municipal advisors, with some predicting that many of the smallest MAs will go out of business.

A new study projects that Puerto Rico could receive billions of additional federal dollars if it became a state, information that some observers said could inject new life into the statehood debate on the financially troubled island.

Securities and Exchange Commission municipal securities chief John Cross on Friday tried to allay the fears of bond lawyers, who continue to have many technical questions about the SEC's new municipal advisor rule.

The Securities and Exchange Commission's new program to encourage self-reporting of a specific continuing disclosure violation is facing some skepticism from bond lawyers even as one SEC attorney said it may eventually be expanded to cover other violations.

Non-dealer financial advisors are warning the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board's proposed new best execution rule may conflict with the MSRB’s existing fair-dealing rule. Both they and dealers are seeking clarifications on what the rule would require dealers to do.

The Government Finance Officers Association has adopted revised best practices to adjust for municipal advisor regulation that takes effect July 1.

The sentencing dates for convicted bid riggers Brian Zwerner, Douglas Goldberg, and Daniel Naeh have been delayed again.

Attorneys opposed to new municipal advisor regulation warned state treasurers this week that the new regime will end productive relationships with investment bankers and hurt issuers financially.

Regulatory officials are urging state treasurers to take the lead on helping municipalities understand disclosure compliance, as well as remaining engaged on developing municipal advisor rulemaking and guidance.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board on Monday proposed to amend its rule on professional qualifications to cover municipal advisors and require them to take a test as soon as next year.