Biden Administration

The administration gave priority to large bridge projects that are ready to proceed with construction.

A decision from the Government Accountability Office supports opponents of a controversial memo outlining the administration's preferences for how states should spend their infrastructure funds.

Expanded use of stimulus funds, fully funded water infrastructure grant programs and housing assistance are among the asks from League of Cities as Congress crafts a 2023 spending package.

The provision shifts rulemaking and enforcement of the new disclosure standards to the SEC from the MSRB, which was charged with the task in an original version.

The White House has asked for an additional $37.3 billion to send to states and communities that faced natural disasters last year, including $600 million to Jackson, Mississippi, for its water crisis.

Incoming House Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar was a California mayor and served on the League of California Cities, bringing the kind of local experience that's considered helpful to muni market interests.

Tribal governments have invested in 344 infrastructure and affordable housing projects as a result of $20 billion received from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Former state transportation official Shailen Bhatt, if confirmed by the full Senate, would play a key role in the rollout of highway funds in the bipartisan infrastructure law.

The DOT's federal financing pipeline has mushroomed in recent years, as has the type of projects being financed.

Republicans critical of the infrastructure law won't be able to stop the flow of federal funds, even if they win the House.

With midterms over, the action now turns to lame-duck legislation that may impact the muni market.

Republican control of the House would bring leadership changes to key finance and tax-writing committees that affect the municipal bond market.

Federal infrastructure dollars continue to support driver-related programs, now with an emphasis on reducing tailpipe emissions.

American Rescue Plan Act dollars amounted to around 22% of states' annual general fund budgets, according to a court filing from a trio of southern states fighting ARPA's restriction on tax cuts.

If the IRA's tax credits prove popular for building clean energy projects, they may be expanded into basic infrastructure financing, said University of Chicago professor Justin Marlowe.

The Federal Highway Administration mandates would "commandeer" state department of transportation authority, opponents say.

States and locals need to move fast to capitalize on the value of upfront funding provided in the infrastructure law, Biden administration officials said.

The dollars mark the second of five years of increased state highway funding promised under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

If Republicans gain control of the influential House T&I committee, expect investigations into the rollout and spending of infrastructure dollars.

The Department of Transportation's initiative will allow transit and transit-oriented development to cover 49% of project costs with a TIFIA loan.