The federal government ran a $13.5 billion deficit in December, the Treasury Department reported Wednesday.
Economists polled by IFR Markets predicted an $11.0 billion deficit.
In December 2017, the government ran a $23.2 billion deficit.
Outlays in December totaled $326.123 billion. Receipts totaled $312.584 billion.
May 6 brought disappointing results for two Midwest states with school bond referendums on ballots, as voters mostly rejected the issuances.
Even with Monday's U.S.-China tariff truce and Tuesday's inflation print, the market has felt better over the past several weeks, said Jamie Iselin, managing director and head of municipal fixed income at Neuberger Berman.
The Montana Facility Finance Authority can directly issue debt for a broader array of organizations following a legislative change.
Flight delays and safety concerns at Newark Airport has pushed FAA funding levels back into the headlines as the idea of issuing user fee supported bonds to provide a non-political revenue stream comes back to life.
The tax bill is far from a done deal, market participants said.
The $839.5 million Harris County Hospital District bond sale will tap $2.5 billion of voter-approved debt authorization for a $3.2 billion expansion project.
