Washington

In a near unanimous vote, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Thursday passed a bill that includes $1.4 billion in federal funding for Flint, Mich. as well as any other community facing a water crisis.

After having been withdrawn from the energy bill in the Senate, controversial legislation to provide federal funds to Flint, Mich., and any other community facing a water crisis, has been included in a major water bill introduced in the chamber this week.

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services this week revised its outlook to negative from stable on both the District of Columbia’s bonds outstanding issued for National Public Radio (NPR) and on its issuer credit rating for the media organization.

The Internal Revenue Service is preliminarily challenging the tax-exempt status of bonds issued by the District of Columbia as part of a much lauded public-private partnership to build a new elementary school.

A recent Superior Court ruling, a pending district lawsuit and a renewed push for statehood have all set the stage for a budget showdown in the nation’s capital this fall.

President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their wives released their 2015 federal income tax reforms on Friday, with neither showing any municipal bond holdings or tax-exempt interest.

Bond Dealers of America will be working on a full plate of issues this year as it helps its members navigate recent and ongoing regulatory developments while maintaining its educational and Capitol Hill-centered work, said new BDA board chair John Fechter.

State officials say a 45% road funding shortfall will cripple Minnesota’s highway expansion plans by 2018.

Two House Republicans presented a committee with their legislative proposals to reform or abolish the federal income tax system, sparking concerns from some members of the municipal bond community.

First Winston Securities, Alton Securities Group, and MidAmerica Financial Services were ordered to pay a total of $115,000 in fines and restitution by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority for violation of municipal securities rules.