News and Information from Bond Buyer

Economists' quarterly forecast estimates lawmakers will have nearly $696 million more to spend than anticipated and taxpayers will receive $3.9 billion through the state's kicker rebate.

A spate of derailments is a unique issue for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority amid the challenges all transit agencies face post-COVID.

The federal government has set aside $12 billion to help rebuild Puerto Rico's grid. If used effectively to rebuild a greener and more resilient grid, this federal lifeline can be a substantial downpayment toward affordable, reliable, cleaner energy for Puerto Ricans.

Natural gas is generally expected to face a bleak future as governments focus increasingly on carbon reduction.

A key consideration in the upgrade was the state's recent actions in both addressing longstanding obligation repayments and rapidly repaying obligations taken on during the pandemic-induced recession, S&P said.

The Arkansas LEARNS bill would create "education freedom" accounts to help cover private school expenses.

An improving tone was apparent in the municipal market midweek — after a topsy-turvy ride last week when the market saw a close to 50-basis point adjustment to the front end of the triple-A municipal yield curve.

Earlier in the pandemic, bond values showed a greater divergence among local government issuers tracked, but that has reverted to pre-pandemic levels, although work-from-home and other uncertainties still take a toll.

The bill in Massachusetts bill would establish a "baby bond" program to create a trust account for children born into a low-income households.

While the FAFAA backed the board's discovery timeline, bondholders argue the board is trying to "run out the clock."

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District relied on fare revenue before the pandemic. Ridership has lagged since COVID, and so have revenues.

"Many asset managers are using too many systems to do one job," said Justin Land, CEO of AG Analytics.

It says the plan of adjustment can treat bonds of National Public Finance Guarantee differently and let National vote in a different class.

Inflows continued with the Investment Company Institute reporting investors added $931 million to mutual funds in the week ending Feb. 15, after $2.194 billion of inflows the previous week.

The public finance industry veteran brings his experience to the minority owned investment banking and advisory firm.

The state's public pension system initially warned of a $6.7 billion 10-year impact of the required changes that could drive up employer pension costs but an amended version eliminated most of the negative impact clearing the path to advance the bill.

The ruling striking down Rhode Island's tolling program constrains states' efforts to solve complex infrastructure problems, the state says.

Southeast states are generous with incentives for electric vehicle factories; less so for people and businesses who operate EVs.

State and local governments across the country are making increased efforts to put money forward for the purpose of reparations.

"Our goal and our mission is really this — to provide investors with the insightful research that will help them make better investment decisions," says Janice Hofferber, head of Moody's Public Finance group.