Muni Think

The data affirms that employment in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, North Dakota and Wyoming has been suffering since January, 2015.

Financial information of state and local government debt issuers is of great interest to state residents and taxpayers, not only for how tax dollars and other revenues are used, but how well they are used. The more transparent, the greater confidence citizens may have in their government. The bar for such transparency has just been raised by DebtWatch.

With time fleeting, Congress and the Administration should proceed under the authority granted them under the Territorial and Bankruptcy clauses of the U.S. Constitution.

This week we review the most recent value of the Puerto Rico Economic Activity Index and examine issues related to its value as an indicator.

Municipal bonds associated with high yield corporate issuers are being traded and quoted at prices substantially higher than bonds of similar maturity issued directly by the same corporations.

Most of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s infrastructure proposals aim to achieve worthy goals, but have some fundamental flaws from a public policy and infrastructure planning perspective.

While lower oil prices are likely to have a stimulative effect on the national economy, we are wary of impacts on the finances of local credits in the Oil Patch.

This week we update our analysis of export volumes. We also take a brief look at the relationship of municipals to Treasuries and its potential impact on supply.

The municipal market is in a dire need of realistic optionless yield curves.

Texas’ economy is suffering from lower energy prices, according to the latest statistics, while New Jersey faces mounting challenges as absentee Gov. Chris Christie runs for president.