Infrastructure

The pandemic has caused some special circumstances for state and local governments in juggling their finances. Jeffrey Previdi, the vice-chairman of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board who spent more than 20 years of his career at S&P Global Ratings, talks about what his regulatory organization has done to assist them. Previdi also talked about how GASB influences how state and local governments spend taxpayer money on such things as schools, firehouses, water treatment plants, and other infrastructure. Brian Tumulty hosts. (25 minutes)

U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary nominee and former New York City official Polly Trottenberg called it 'a project of national significance.'

Reinstating certain municipal bond provisions would make way for more infrastructure investment.

Lt. Gov. Dan McKee succeeds her on a day state voters approved seven bond measures totaling $400 million.

Flexibility in federal funding programs that would allow cities to target what they consider their highest priorities is key.

The state’s transportation investment is estimated at $50 billion over the next decade and the commission’s recommendation is to increase total investment by at least $20 billion more in the next 10 years.

Bills to expand the use of tax-advantaged bonds that are being reintroduced in the new Congress have favorable odds for being signed into law this year.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Bernie Sanders want a broader infrastructure bill to pass through the reconciliation process while other lawmakers plan a bipartisan push for surface transportation.

The consequences of not passing infrastructure legislation in the next few months may be dire.

The Federal Transit Administration rescinded a Trump administration policy that refused to count as a local cost-share the payments by New York and New Jersey on a proposed federal loan.

The initiative aims to figure out ways to finance infrastructure as state and local governments weather the pandemic.

City Council reservations torpedoed Mayor Adrian Perkins' request to ask voters for $207 million of general obligation bond authority.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez talks with Chip Barnett of The Bond Buyer about what makes the Magic City so appealing to companies and investors alike right now. He discusses the attractiveness of its business climate, the city’s financial strengths, efforts to fight climate change and the diversity and resilience of its residents. (7 minutes)

Mayor Adrian Perkins put the bond proposals before the City Council and asked for a vote on a special April 24 election on four bond referendums.

“I couldn’t be more pleased to learn that Alabama will be the new home to the United States Space Command," said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.

The new Democratic Senate majority makes the path to enacting muni-friendly policy easier than it has been for years.

A new policy framework supports “enhanced bond financing incentives that can be used to improve water quality and reduce other environmental stressors.”

John Hallacy, founder of John Hallacy Consulting LLC, talks about the most important opportunities and challenges the municipal bond market will face in 2021. He gives his estimate on where muni volume may be headed, discusses the possibility of a federal infrastructure program and talks about what to expect under a Biden Administration. Chip Barnett hosts. (Recorded Dec. 22; 22 minutes)

After one of the worst sell-offs in municipal market history as COVID-19 began its rampage in March, the market rebounded to set the all-time record.

The bi-state agency may face further cuts to its capital program after receiving no funds in the second round of federal coronavirus relief.