Public finance

Only Georgia has a higher state-level infrastructure grade from the ASCE than the the C the U.S. received this week. More in the Southeast are C-minus or lower.

"We're navigating a crosscurrent of macro risks — tariffs, tax policy proposals, DOGE cuts, and evolving economic data — layered on top of a broader risk-off tone," said James Pruskowski, CIO of 16Rock Asset Management.

The Los Angeles Legislative Delegation penned a letter to state budget leaders asking for $1.9 billion in fire recovery aid for the city after meeting with city leaders.

The effects of infrastructure spending and the need for more are coming into focus as the municipal bond community is dealing with a Congressional threat to eliminate the tax-exempt status of munis. 

The legislation would create a bond-financed reinsurance program to stabilize the homeowner's insurance market, which has been impacted by wildfires.

United First Partners was fined for reporting and supervisory rule violations as part of a wider FINRA disciplinary action involving the firm.

The Illinois Finance Authority will go to market with $850 million of revenue and refunding bonds for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency next week.

What's happening to the muni market is the "confluence of modest selling (via fund outflows and retail perhaps pausing during tax season); a heavy new issue calendar; and very thin near-term reinvestment expectations," said Matt Fabian, a partner at Municipal Market Analytics.

Another big deal from a major borrower is moving forward after Rochester's City Council last week approved a conduit bond sale for the Mayo Clinic.

The American Securities Association's federal appeals court case regarding an SEC order has been stayed until Aug. 13.