Public finance

Panelists at this year's GFOA Minimuni Conference remarked on how difficult an environment it is for issuers and why recognizing this is essential for voluntary disclosure.

As valuations got richer after muni outperformance this week, Barclays strategists expect munis to be "truly tested in the next several weeks, with supply picking up."

The recent rise in yields has created an opportunity for those investors waiting to "jump into the market," said Roberto Roffo, portfolio manager at SWBC Investment Company.  

Analysts discussed proposed changes to its metrics that will be finalized in January. An estimated 35% of ratings could experience upgrades or downgrades.

Loss of aid could hurt the islands' economy, a local senator says.

Despite the sticker shock of rising rates, yields in fact are at average levels for over the last 30 years, panelists said at the GFOA's MiniMuni conference.

In January 2022, mobile sports betting went live. With a 51% tax rate on gross gaming revenues, New York, Rhode Island and New Hampshire have the highest gaming taxes in the nation.

A higher inflation figure sent UST yields higher, complicating Central Bank policymaking and reversing a flight-to-safety bid amid ongoing geopolitical turmoil in Israel.

An EPA investigation will focus on potential discrimination against Black communities in the distribution of wastewater improvement funds following complaints from public advocacy groups.

The California governor is this week signing bills to alter the state's mental health policies in a package that includes a $6.3 billion state bond measure.

Mitigation efforts can't always prevent a ratings drop.

Additionally, the Florida Treasury will follow suit and invest $25 million in Israeli bonds, said Jimmy Patronis, the state's chief financial officer.

Muni Pride partners with Women in Public Finance-Chicago, GFOA and NABL on two separate Chicago events.

"Further declines could weaken New York's tax revenue from the securities industry and have repercussions for our state and city budgets," said New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

Officials from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board said that adhering to the Financial Data Transparency Act may make things more complicated.

The proposed spending plan includes the first chunk of money from the city's new casino, which will support underfunded police and fire pensions.

Minutes from the September Federal Open Market Committee meeting were "not much of a market mover" Wednesday, said Scott Anderson, chief U.S. economist and managing director at BMO Economics.

A "pillar of the public finance community," Gerdes' extensive career spanned many facets of the industry and he was instrumental in many major building and financing programs for clients.

"Financial markets are tightening up and they are going to do some of the work for us," Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said in a conversation moderated by Paul Ryan.

The Federal Reserve is expected to pause at its September meeting. Jeff Timlin, a managing partner at Sage Advisory, will join us on Sept. 21 to provide analysis of the meeting.