Public pensions

This year's portfolio growth will save the city $2.18 billion over the next five years, Comptroller Brad Lander said.

The city has promised to contribute $625 million to the stadium project. The team, owned by billionaire Shahid Khan, is to come up with $625 million of its own.

Record contributions from public employers made up for below-expectation investment returns, according to a report published by the the Equable Institute.

The U.S. territory is struggling with debt and pension liabilities as its economy remains weak and federal aid is cut back.

The state was one of three where one person was responsible for deciding how to invest pension money.

Ahead of a 14-3 vote to pass the $7 billion spending plan, concerns were raised about new legislation affecting the city's public safety pension funds.

Controller Chris Hollins raised several concerns about the mayor's $7 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, including its use of reserves.

New Britain is reaping a rating reward from higher revenues and stronger budgetary practices, including full actuarial funding of its pensions.

In the coming year, we'll find out if public pension disclosure and transparency have improved enough to protect municipal bond investors.

Seventeen states now allow or are considering legislation that allows reserve funds to be invested into cryptocurrency while sixteen are moving towards allowing crypto investments in their pension funds.

Houston, Phoenix, and Dallas are taking action to address fiscal challenges brought on by litigation, state actions and a ballot measure.

The governor is calling for a freeze on planned cuts to individual and corporate tax rates.

Texas, Oklahoma, and other Southwest states would jump on the bitcoin bandwagon amid a nationwide surge in bills to invest public money in cryptocurrencies.

A voter-approved charter amendment requiring a bigger police force spurred Moody's Ratings to revise its outlook on the city's A1 bond rating to negative.

The state House and Senate announced their spending plans for the upcoming biennium, including funding to continue and increase 2023's state-funded tax cut.

The largest issuance the Local Government Commission approved was $387 million of bonds for Mecklenburg County.

Moody's Ratings said the 2025 budget that passed Chicago's City Council this month won't materially alter the credit profile of the city, which it rates Baa3.

The budgeting constraints transformed the state's finances and bond ratings. But critics say the policy's downsides include the stifling of needed investments. 

Brad Briner said the state may need to issue short-term debt in the near future to pay for Hurricane Helene expenses.

The outlook change to negative comes in the wake of voter approval on Nov. 5 of a ballot measure requiring certain public safety spending by the city.