Atlanta will continue to pursue deals like November's $410 million of social bonds, the city treasurer said, despite Republican efforts to defund ESG investing.

The Texas Attorney General's Office will announce by Jan. 13 whether Citigroup can continue to underwrite municipal bonds in the state under a 2021 law that prohibits contracts with companies that "discriminate" against the firearm industry.

Atlanta's first foray into ESG bonds was a resounding success, according to local officials who said investors welcomed the city's inaugural social bonds.

"I think it's undemocratic of major asset managers to use their power to influence societal outcomes," said Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis.

Chicago's Sales Tax Securitization Corp. will sell $150 million of social bonds next month in the city's first ESG-labeled deal.

The Kentucky Bankers Association is seeking to halt Attorney General Daniel Cameron's investigation into climate commitments made by six large banks. The suit alleges that the AG overstepped his authority by seeking to compel the banks to turn over certain documents and communications.

The future of ESG and how it relates to the present raises questions about the general nature of public finance. 

Putting a county government into the real estate development business goes beyond making the numbers work.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides billions in grants for state and local governments. The challenge now is how quickly and effectively they can spend it amid an inflation–fueled rising–rate environment.

The newly stand-alone Water Infrastructure Finance Authority can sell water augmentation bonds as part of the state's quest for new water sources.