Infrastructure

The traditional tax exemption "does take some of the volatility out," said Mark Ritacco, chief government affairs officer for the National Association of Counties.

"Insurance rationing by the leading insurers is becoming the mechanism by which climate risk is starting to impact municipal issuers," said Triet Nguyen, vice president of strategic data operations at DPC Data.

Gov. Tina Kotek sent a letter to transportation commissioners asking them to scrap a tolling plan for Portland-area highways that was seven years in the making.

Federal officials are pushing for reauthorization while cities tout their planning.

The state's transportation department plans to sell $200 million of highway fund revenue bonds this summer for its Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program.

The American High-Speed Rail Act has seen "some initial interest from Republican lawmakers – I'm working hard to get them on board too," said bill sponsor Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass.

States and local governments can use the funds to hire advisors to consider alternative delivery models for transportation projects.

"Cry me a river, Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., told officials testifying about grant funding problems in the infrastructure law. "You guys have never had it so good."

Sam Graves' term leading the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is up but he is looking to stay on.

Detroit, which has several climate-friendly projects in the pipeline, is seeking a tax advisor to help navigate snag tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act.

The state's February general revenue collections came in $30.62 million below official estimates. but total collections for fiscal 2024 are $428.1 million ahead of forecasts.

As Congress hammers out the 2024 transportation budget, state DOTs warn that a timing problem with the flow of IIJA money could lead to a "potential lapse" of highway funds by September.

Washington state lawmakers approved a $14.6 billion two-year transportation budget, a $1 billion increase.

Spaceports should have the same access to tax-exempt financing as airports and seaports, supporters say.

In addition to repowering the nuclear plant, the Palisades owner wants to build a pair of new small modular reactors, which would mark another first in the U.S.

The nearly $5 billion I-35 expansion has sparked a lawsuit from residents saying it would exacerbate the interstate's historic role as a racial dividing line.

New laws, fines and agencies leveraging AI are poised to impact the munis industry throughout 2024.

U.S. DOT Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg traveled to Miami-Dade County to highlight the $27 million of funding provided under the bipartisan infrastructure law to Miami International Airport's improvement projects.

The funds will go through State Drinking Water and Clean Water Revolving Funds, which states often use together with municipal bonds to finance projects.

The Federal Railroad Administration plans to make formal recommendations to Congress this spring.