GFOA

Mid-size issuers may be experiencing the greatest impact, with one municipality even reporting that an underwriter withdrew a bid over a disclosure requirement.

Blockchain could benefit the muni market, but receives pushback in an industry historically slow to change.

A bill to let money market mutual funds use a stable net asset value is back on the table with the support of muni issuers.

All four industry groups that submitted comments on the proposed rule requested a continuation of the practice that allows remarketing reissuances at a premium.

The SLGS window could be closed for weeks or even months, a bad result for issuers who need access to them.

A large municipality with strong legal representation will draw attention, even from those skeptical of whistleblower suits alleging bank fraud in the variable-rate demand obligation market.

Issuers say a variety of factors make it difficult to get audits in any faster.

With Rule 15c2-12 amendments taking effect at the end of February, issuers expressed confusion about their impact on continuing disclosure responsibilities.

GFOA’s goal is to get a majority of House members to sign a letter pledging not to touch the tax exemption as they debate new infrastructure funding proposals.

Rep. John Yarmuth of Kentucky wants to end automatic across-the-board budget cuts that include a reduction in the subsidy for direct-pay Build America Bonds.

MSRB board members and staff are slated to participate in eight events between next month and May.

The MSRB is hoping to help the market comply with the soon-to be-effective disclosure rule amendments.

The government shutdown limits the SEC's ability to answer issuers' questions on continuing disclosure requirements that take effect Feb. 27.

Emily Brock, director of GFOA’s federal liaison center, said restoration of advance refundings and increasing the limit on bank qualified debt to $30 million also are among the legislative priorities for 2019.

Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., has pledged to ask mayors, governors and other municipal market advocates to testify at hearings early in 2019.

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.

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

GASB is accepting comments through Nov. 2 on its proposal to clarify the definition of a conduit debt obligation.

House Republicans want to make permanent the $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions and the lower tax rates for individuals, both of which are due to expire at the end of 2025.