News and Information from Bond Buyer

Jeff Lipton begins his role as The Bond Buyer's Market Intelligence Analyst with an examination of how evolving federal policy, shifting credit conditions and market inefficiencies shape municipal risk — and where disciplined analysis can uncover value.

Analyst and market strategist Jeff Lipton joins the team to deliver clarity and thoughtful guidance to a market witnessing evolving complexities — connecting policy moves, credit shifts and investment behavior to help our readers navigate what comes next.

Moody's cited the school's weakening liquidity levels in its downgrade.

The Trump administration has denied an appeal for $33.7 million in FEMA relief funds for flood damage incurred in western Maryland, which ends the possibility of aid for a state already reeling from job losses.

The Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is facing federal deadlines after a series of fires. 

Gilmore & Bell and Nixon Peabody were new entrants in the top 10, bumping Greenberg Traurig and Bracewell to the top 15.

Voters will decide the fate of 447 bond propositions totaling a record $83.7 billion with development-related districts accounting for most of the debt.

Economists see the Fed ending quantitative tightening soon, but don't agree exactly when.

Issuance is light this week, with $5.367 billion on tap, and it should be "easily distributed," J.P. Morgan strategists said.

"BDA supports the proposal and we encourage the commission to approve it," its letter said.

The government shutdown is wreaking more havoc as air traffic controllers will miss a paycheck this week and federal payments to states for housing bonds and Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle bonds may stop flowing.

California's largest health workers union sent ballot language to state Attorney General Rob Bonta in an effort to add a wealth tax proposal to the November 2026 ballot.

The city comptroller says Buffalo's finances are in dire shape, and is fighting in court not to issue debt authorized by the mayor and city council.

The utility responded that it is not eligible to declare bankruptcy.

"Investors were not disappointed," said John Kerschner, global head of securitized products and portfolio manager at Janus Henderson. "Inflation came in softer than expected, leading to a tepid bond market rally" and ensuring a rate cut at the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

The northern California school district has been struggling for years and on several occasions abandoned plans to consolidate schools, which rating agencies say might have shored up finances.

Jamie Doffermyre  has worked in munis at Truist Securities, Citi and Merrill Lynch.

Mayor Brandon Johnson released to City Council a report from accounting firm Ernst & Young with recommendations for closing the city's structural budget gap.

Executing a successful bond issuance becomes simpler by combining long range planning, shorter-term timing and marshaling political support.

The city council president is concerned about state bond commission approval.