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.
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A financial instrument that has appealed to many municipalities to remedy underfunded pension plans is once again looking like a losing borrow and bet scheme.
February 3 -
The MSRB took no concrete actions at its meeting that ended last week, but discussed initiatives important to market participants.
January 30 -
A number of states are taking aim at tax reductions, though some experts view the move as misguided policy.
January 26 -
Inflation continues to wreak havoc on new construction rental projects that are still in the pipeline.
January 25 -
Municipal bond issuers are worried about what the recently passed Financial Data Transparency Act is going to cost them to implement.
January 24 -
A panel discussion hosted by the Volcker Alliance explored the future of American cities
January 19 -
Missouri's challenge to the law that prohibits pandemic aid funding being used for tax cuts won't get a hearing.
January 18 -
Improved disclosure is likely to have a cost, though analysts have long maintained the benefits outweight that.
January 18 -
New regulations appear to be highlighting disagreements on major muni market topics.
January 12 -
Most of the blame is placed on overall poor marketplace performance, strict monetary policy, and the war in Ukraine.
January 11 -
Rep. Jason Smith sold colleagues on his intentions to strictly oversee the Biden administration.
January 10 -
The organization is focused on some key muni priorities with the new year and new Congress.
January 4 -
While hope remains for certain muni priorities in 2023, others look highly unlikely to gain traction in an ideologically-split Congress.
December 28 -
The clock is ticking on Congress waiving PAYGO for Build America Bonds, a budget bear trap that could delay promised subsidy payments totaling $14 billion to issuers.
December 16 -
Must-pass spending bills and a debt ceiling fight are in the near future.
December 15 -
The trade group is adding the operations group to boost fixed income expertise.
December 8 -
Most states are still spending federal dollars and boast full rainy-day funds.
December 7 -
The industry's biggest lobbying group also said it sees continued threats from regulation.
December 2 -
The private sector remains confused about buying American, potentially slowing how it can react to the needs of states and localities eager to get building.
November 30 -
A combination of federal funding and rising tax collections has filled the coffers.
November 18
