Washington DC

A federal court imposed an unusually stiff financial penalty and a lifetime ban against the already-jailed Christopher St. Lawrence.

The NASBO report released Thursday showed some bright spots for state ledgers.

Distinguishing abusive `pennying' from less insidious behavior is key, dealers told the MSRB.

“Asset recycling can help fix America’s serious infrastructure problems: aging, deteriorating facilities and a lack of funding for a large array of new infrastructure that would improve our quality of life," the study's author said.

Chief Judge Merrick Garland appeared unconvinced by Justice Department attorney Gretchen Wolfinger who argued on behalf of the decision by the Internal Revenue Service to release only limited information in a “suspected practitioner misconduct” case.

Examiners found that Mark Stewart Saunders was improperly relying on permission from a customer's daughter.

The dollar value of net pension liabilities rose in 43 states while the dollar value of outstanding tax-supported debt rose in 17 states, the report said.

The board stands by its chief economist's conclusions after criticism from the Bond Dealers of America.

The MSRB should tread carefully in basing future research or rulemaking on its July study of secondary market spreads, BDA said.

The incoming chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is optimistic of striking a deal with President Trump on major infrastructure legislation, noting that House Democrats will need White House support to get the Republican-controlled Senate on board.

Todd Barker appears prepared to have negotiated a monetary settlement with the SEC, while Dwayne Edwards plans to contest the SEC's motion in court.

The change in control of the House does end the threat of Republicans terminating the tax-exemption of private activity bonds to help pay for additional tax cuts, but the cost includes the loss of some industry allies such as Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Ill.

Massachusetts Democrat Richard Neal, friendly to the muni market, is likely to chair the critical Ways and Means Committee.

Democrats could attempt to revive Build America Bonds as part of a bipartisan infrastructure bill following their House victory.

Kyle Glazier is the new Washington bureau chief of The Bond Buyer. He succeeds longtime bureau chief Lynn Hume, who has retired after more than three decades on the job.

If the workarounds states are using by creating charitable foundations as a way to pay property taxes or state and local income taxes are legal, Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone said it’s up to Congress to decide whether to end them.

The IRS announcement of an advisory committee shuffle has some lawyers nervous.

Public finance cases represented 3% of the SEC's enforcement actions the past fiscal year.

Most state and local governments are concerned the ceiling will make it harder to raise taxes to pay for public services and infrastructure.

Next month's event may also give attendees a rare chance to hear about muni issues directly from every commissioner.