Podcasts

Stephen Eide, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, tells The Bond Buyer's Paul Burton why Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport and Waterbury are struggling, how bond rating agencies have treated them, and recommends how the cities and the state can cope with the problem.

Money Market Funds underwent a huge reform at the end of 2016, increasing liquidity and transparency to better attract investors. Colleen Meehan, director of municipal money market fund strategies for BNY Mellon cash investment strategies, talks about supply/demand imbalance with variable rate demand notes and where there are opportunities for investors. Hosted by Aaron Weitzman.

Greg Sullivan, research director for the Boston think tank Pioneer Institute, tells The Bond Buyer's Paul Burton how the MBTA Retirement Fund fiasco resonates nationally as public pension and transit-funding poster child. Gov. Charlie Baker has just called for a state takeover of the fund, which has operated in secrecy as a private trust despite 75% public funding.

Fitch Ratings' Doug Offerman discusses: how bad are the state pensions' underfunding problems, how do the pensions compare to their situation in 2007, how have GASB accounting changes helped obervers understand pension funding, whether pensions' assumed rate of return is realistic, and the impact of the growing portion of our populace living past 65 have on pensions. Bond Buyer reporter Robert Slavin asks the questions.

Alan Anders, deputy director for finance at New York City's Office of Management and Budget, chats with The Bond Buyer's Paul Burton and John Hallacy about New York City's budgeting process, its bond financing program and where the city stands with investors and rating agencies.

What are the challenges of running a giant electric provider? Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) CEO Tom Falcone discusses his experience of leaving Wall Street after 13 years to run LIPA in the catastrophic wake of Hurricane Sandy. Hosted by Andrew Coen.

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli discusses taking over New York's finances in midst of the Great Recession, the health of the state's pension fund and whether he has goals to run for higher elected office.Hosting this podcast is northeast regional reporter Andrew Coen.

In his first podcast as a member of The Bond Buyer team, municipal market analyst John Hallacy sits down with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management managing director and chief municipal bond strategist John Dillon to discuss a muni market strategy outlook for 2017, the potential for tax reform, sweet spots for investors along the curve, as well as a retrospective on 2016.

Maria Doulis of the watchdog Citizens Budget Commission and Howard Cure of Evercore Wealth Management discuss with Northeast regional editor Paul Burton what effect the Donald Trump presidency would have on New York City, and how the city can effectively govern itself amid the uncertainty.

In a far-reaching chat with Bond Buyer northeast regional editor Paul Burton, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin explains what Connecticut's capital city needs to turn its finances around, and what building blocks exist for the city's recovery.