Treasury Department

The rising costs of federal debt, an impending budget showdown, and Congressional turmoil is highlighting the complex relationship between Treasury securities and municipal bonds.

Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent sparred with the Senate Finance Committee over the future direction of fiscal policy in the Trump administration that will be trying to tackle major tax legislation.

A job opening at the Office of State and Local Finance at the U.S. Treasury offers the chance for input from the muni community.

Environmental, social and governance issues are a ripe debate among Republican states who oppose federal efforts they say are overly political.

A study of county governments to be presented at this year's Brookings Municipal Finance Conference shows federal pandemic aid led to a mild reduction in borrowing costs, a drop in credit quality and a preference for short-term over long-term debt instruments.

Treasury representatives said Friday that they will be issuing further guidance to help counties deal with the upcoming reporting and compliance deadlines.

The snub could become more important next year when Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions expire and tax issues take center stage at Congress.

The Office of Tax Policy is still short on muni-based leadership.

The decision to add Early is a positive sign the Treasury understands the importance of the municipal market and having its own expertise it can call on.