Scott Sowers

President-elect Trump and Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser renew relations as the city braces for the inauguration, and a stadium site transfer from federal control which could spur a floodgate of bond issuance.

The public finance community remembers President Jimmy Carter's pivotal roles in the near bankruptcy of New York City, deregulation of the transportation industry, and his contributions to state and local governments.

The new Congress will have a full plate including deciding the fate of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and Internal Revenue Service funding in a legislature that's already showing cracks of disagreement.

The finally approved continuing resolution steers around the debate to raise the debt ceiling while funding repairs to the toll-supported Key Bridge in Baltimore, reimbursing DC for inauguration costs and transferring the RFK stadium site.

Bond issuers are establishing common reserve funds to spur economic growth while also generating income, but risk is involved.

A bipartisan agreement on a continuing resolution to keep the government open fell apart after intervention from President-elect Trump and Elon Musk, raising concerns about federal funds flowing to states, local governments, and infrastructure projects.

A continuing resolution that included federal funding for the repair of the Key Bridge in Baltimore and transferring the RFK stadium site to the city of Washington collapsed under pressure.

Concerns are rising as the Congressional Budget Office has issued a report laying out the benefits of eliminating tax-exempt qualified private activity bonds.

Federal funds flowing from the American Rescue Plan Act must be obligated by Dec. 31 as the threat of a clawback looms as a possibility.

The future of key policies and upcoming budget battle tactics are taking shape based on several leadership changes and announcements in recent days.

The MSRB is looking for industry input regarding proposed rules changes for Rules G-17, G-32 and G-47.

Washington D.C. is lobbying Congress for an extra $47 million in expenses for the upcoming inauguration of President Trump while also raising concerns about the effects of debt ceiling squabbles on the city's credit rating.

Political change in Washington and the looming budget battle is raising anxiety in state legislatures.

As stadium and arena deals grow in complexity and expense, the capital stack often includes a combination of public and private money along with revenue generated by the facilities.

Experts are already predicting where the spending cuts will happen including the status of the tax exemption for municipal bonds.

Economic forecasts include the possibility of higher inflation and slower growth that could stall future cuts to the federal fund rates.

A job opening at the Office of State and Local Finance at the U.S. Treasury offers the chance for input from the muni community.

Economists gaming out the possibilities for tax policy in the Trump administration believe the bond market will dictate budget cuts and spending increases.

The incoming administration heads into the White House with a promise to create a national crypto stockpile as public finance suffers losses, issues warnings, and buys into crypto-backed ETFs.

The $515 million bond-financed arena renovation in downtown Washington will move forward despite labor union concerns.