Washington News from Bond Buyer

Changes in federal funding are sharpening the focus on how the states will be responding to disaster relief, running social programs and budget planning.

The rating agency cited an improving governance profile, which incorporates a trend of budgetary reserve fund maintenance and increasing pension contributions.

Artificial intelligence will help maintain the nation's global competitiveness, according to a panel of political and tech leaders at the Milken Institute's Global conference.

After Gov. JB Pritzker released his BUILD plan to lower housing costs, the Illinois Municipal League unveiled its proposal: the REAL Housing Act.

McKinney, Texas, is fighting a challenge to a refunding of sales tax-backed bonds sold for a commercial airline service project at its general aviation airport.

Muni advocates are actively working on championing a bill that would address a wish list of provisions designed to boost bond sales.

Months after the state cracked down on cities' tardy annual financial audits, adherence to a statutory filing deadline is improving with fiscal 2025 reports.

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.

Moody's Ratings revised Missouri's outlook to negative from stable, citing a large structural deficit that will push fund balances below its Aaa-rated peers.

By harmonizing its gift rule with FINRA's amended gift rule, the MSRB "aims for consistency in the application of MSRB and FINRA rules among dealers that are FINRA members," the MSRB's Ernesto Lanza said. 

The board also approved issuing a request for comment relating to disclosure documents for 529 plans and other municipal fund securities.

The department has hit its $30 billion limit on transportation private activity bonds and there's a large pipeline of public-private partnerships across the country.

"Really the only chance of high speed rail in the United States in the next decade is Brightline West," said Federal Railroad Administration head David Fink.

Observers say there is a real chance that Democrats may win the governorships of Florida and Georgia, affecting the states' fiscal policies.

The Federal Railroad Administration is embracing a pro-business approach regarding emerging technology and funding rail crossing improvements.

"Clearly, issuers still need access to this very important financing tool," said State of Michigan Treasurer Rachael Eubanks, who also serves as this year's president of the National Association of State Treasurers.

"It became clear our residence halls were a constraint and not an asset for our university," WKU president Timothy Caboni said.

Kevin Warsh's nomination to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve passed through the Senate Banking committee in a party-line vote.

Fitch, Moody's, and S&P were sent a letter from 23 GOP state attorneys general over the use of ESG factors related to fossil fuel in negative rating actions.

Fitch Ratings cited Sacramento City Unified School District's fiscal challenges in downgrading its issuer default rating to junk and assigning a negative outlook.