Muni Think

Kentucky's economy has shown the largest year-over-year improvement in our economic health score, helped by a strong labor market. High foreclosure rates and lagging housing prices have dragged New Jersey to the biggest decline.

Bankruptcies in Detroit, Jefferson County, Ala., and three California cities helped spawn a new breed of activist judges, who may use Chapter 9 cases as the platform not just for reorganizing municipal debt, but also for helping set the stage for turning distressed cities around.

Beneath the surface of last week's data, which showed the number of initial claims for unemployment insurance was the lowest since 1973, are some dramatic changes, especially in energy producing states.

Food stamp participation is losing value as a poverty indicator amid the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

This week we look at trends in the DIVER Geo Score for the northeast United States and drill down into New England with a focus on New Hampshire and Vermont.

Amid a tough summer for municipal credits, the Supreme Court decision in favor of subsidies in the Affordable Care Act was good news for the health care sector.

Connecticut's economy has been improving over the past year, while New Jersey's has worsened, according to Diver Geo Scores. Meanwhile a change in Puerto Rico's economic activity index shows a better economy.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP attorneys take a look at the Securities and Exchange Commission settlements with 36 municipal securities underwriters pursuant to the Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation initiative.

State Economic Indexes recently released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia show the difference between the worst performer and the best performer was more than a full percentage point.

In penalizing corporate wrongdoers with fines, the justice system is missing a crucial component of what criminal law is supposed to be about. Criminal law is supposed to address wrongs against society.