Public finance

Laurence Msall who built the Chicago Civic Federation into a fiscal research powerhouse over the last two decades, died Saturday at 61.

Todd Russ, who took office Jan. 9, is vetting banks and financial institutions to determine if they are 'boycotting' Oklahoma's fossil fuel industry.

"The main point is that this is a change primarily in name only," said Ben Watkins, head of the state's Bond Division. "There will be no impact on debt whatsoever."

"As we continue to strengthen our national platform, I am delighted to have Gary serving as president of the infrastructure and public finance department," Suzanne Shank said.

Louisa Chafee is senior vice president for external relations and public policy at the UJA-Federation of New York, the largest local Jewish philanthropy organization in the world.

Friday's payrolls "surprised to the upside, with nonfarm payrolls increasing 517,000 last month after an upwardly revised 260,000 gain in December," Barclays strategists said.

Nearly two-thirds of market participants in a Bond Buyer live market survey believe 2023 issuance will remain around last year's levels.

Despite its nearly drained capacity, the Texas Permanent School Fund program continues to operate as it seeks legislative and regulatory solutions to a federal cap.

A reserve account doesn't hold enough cover the semi-annual $8.7 million interest payment, said the bond's trustee.

A financial instrument that has appealed to many municipalities to remedy underfunded pension plans is once again looking like a losing borrow and bet scheme.

A panel of experts at The Bond Buyer's National Outlook Conference discussed the opportunities surrounding ESG for both investors and issuers.

California's bond ratings are likely to escape unscathed from the atmospheric rivers that caused an estimated $646 million in damage to the state's infrastructure.

"Build a culture and cohesiveness that fosters collaboration and resiliency," Deborah Goldberg told The Bond Buyer National Outlook conference.

Deposits to reserves that had been planned for fiscal 2024 and 2025 would be completed by the end of the current fiscal year, bringing the total to $24 billion.

A few developments in recent sessions "may have staying power should the new outlook on upcoming FOMC actions gain traction," said Kim Olsan, a senior vice president of municipal bond trading at FHN Financial.

Illinois' net position for governmental activities remains deep in the red but after years of falling further behind, it trimmed the gap in fiscal 2022.

The budget "starts and ends with the housing and homelessness crisis because housing is fundamental to everything else in a person's life," said Gov. Tina Kotek.

"This settlement offer allows you to settle for payment in the form of new bonds of approximately half your claims," the Puerto Rico Oversight Board said.

"Our budget proposal not only builds on the successes of the past four years, but ensures that Florida will continue to thrive," said Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Energy production taxes slowed or fell last month, with the oil tax generating $486 million, which was 14% higher than in January 2022, and natural gas tax revenue falling 13% at $322 million.