Scott Sowers is a reporter based in the Washington, D.C., Bureau where he covers ESG issues, cyber-crime, lobbying, and taxation. Prior to joining The Bond Buyer he freelanced for The Washington Post, The New York Times and The Atlantic writing about real estate. Other areas of expertise include architecture, design, energy, housing policy, automotive, and the utilities.
-
Gov. Abigail Spanberger received a dose of good news for a constrained budget as a new revenue forecast shows a boost in tax collections.
June 3 -
Moody's Ratings has announced a credit rating downgrade to A2 from A1 for AU, due to operating pressure which comes on the heels of a 4% tuition hike earlier this spring.
June 2 -
Maryland drops Moodys a year after the ratings agency downgraded its credit as the state preps for a major bond sale this week.
June 1 -
The Trump administration and several states are leaning into public private partnerships as the idea of inviting private investment into public infrastructure gains more acceptance.
May 29 -
The Maryland Economic Development Corporation and the Internal Revenue Service have reached a resolution in a tax squabble over a bond issuance where proceeds of the sale were not spent within a three-year time window.
May 28 -
Issuers are watching Washington D.C. gearing up for a water bill reauthorization, along with decisions on state revolving funds, appropriation levels and the future of WIFIA.
May 27 -
A major multiple-amended housing bill that is expected to expand the use of private activity bonds passes the House and bounces back to the Senate, but obstacles remain over provisions regulating institutional investors.
May 21 -
After months of hard-fought negotiations, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's version of the surface transportation reauthorization is out of the gate.
May 20 -
The National League of Cities rolled out the results of an infrastructure survey showing less reliance on municipal bonds and a move towards cash-based funding.
May 15 -
While the surface transportation reauthorization remains a work in progress, advocates for high-speed rail travel are exploring the benefits of public private partnerships
May 14 -
The collapse of Sprit Airlines spills into the South Jersey Transportation Authority as Fitch Ratings places its revenue bonds onto a negative watch status.
May 12 -
The Supreme Court decision that changes the provisions in the Voting Rights Act adds legal risk for state and local governments.
May 11 -
Changes in federal funding are sharpening the focus on how the states will be responding to disaster relief, running social programs and budget planning.
May 8 -
FEMA reform has stopped and started on Capitol Hill as local governments welcome a rule requiring the agency to build a dashboard to track the flow of disaster recovery funds.
May 7 -
The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority is applying for a reimbursement from the federal government for repair costs to a broken water line that flooded the Potomac River with raw sewage.
May 6 -
Muni advocates are actively working on championing a bill that would address a wish list of provisions designed to boost bond sales.
May 5 -
Doubts are emerging on Capitol Hill about when a surface transportation reauthorization may arrive and what effect, if any, it will have on the beleaguered Highway Trust Fund.
May 4 -
The Federal Railroad Administration is embracing a pro-business approach regarding emerging technology and funding rail crossing improvements.
April 29 -
Muni advocates are watching Congress move towards a second reconciliation bill that may not require any provisions that pay for funding DHS, and the possibility of a third, tax-focused bill.
April 27 -
The U.S. Department of Transportation is looking for proposals that leverage public private partnerships to solve traffic bottlenecks through the use of tolled express lanes .
April 24
