Branding experts argue against ditching ESG. Instead, they say, the finance industry needs to better explain what ESG is.

A previous measure prohibiting government contracts with companies that "discriminate" against the firearm industry fell short of passing the 2022 legislature.

Following a procession of anti-ESG policy decisions in Kentucky, state lawmakers met last week to discuss additional requirements for companies that have cut ties with the fossil fuel industry.

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.

Key takeaways from the preliminary findings show that most jurisdictions that integrate racial equity in bond issuance focuse primarily on the use of the proceeds. 

Utah's first debt affordability study said while pay-as-you-go funding for capital projects is preferred, an economic downturn could lead to more debt issuance.

Keeley Webster, a Bond Buyer senior reporter, hosts a discussion with Raul Amezcua, a Ramirez & Co. managing director, on a California committee's efforts to craft ESG disclosure guidelines to encourage greater issuance of green bonds and provide more transparency for investors. (20 minutes)

Municipal issuers are learning the ropes of ESG disclosure and marketing.

MSU must find a new president after friction between board members and the president hired in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandals led to his resignation.

The status allows the firm to assign the label to bonds based on a review of a project's adherence to the Climate Bonds Standard and Certification Scheme.

We believe our industry should coalesce around objective measures of ESG "risk" and leave the"impact" considerations to the investors and their proxies. Buy-side participants should welcome this as they structure impact strategies to match their clients' needs.