Washington

Public finance professionals need to contemplate uncertainty as they work with municipal issuers to help them plan and meet their needs.

Changes in federal funding are sharpening the focus on how the states will be responding to disaster relief, running social programs and budget planning.

The Trump administration also proposed deep cuts to the state revolving funds in its 2026 budget, which Congress rejected.

FEMA reform has stopped and started on Capitol Hill as local governments welcome a rule requiring the agency to build a dashboard to track the flow of disaster recovery funds.

"MSRB's strategic plan was shaped by the many conversations we've had with stakeholders from across the municipal securities market," MSRB CEO Mark Kim said.

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority is applying for a reimbursement from the federal government for repair costs to a broken water line that flooded the Potomac River with raw sewage.

"Regulatory change in this area is needed without further delay," SIFMA said in a letter.

Muni advocates are actively working on championing a bill that would address a wish list of provisions designed to boost bond sales.

Doubts are emerging on Capitol Hill about when a surface transportation reauthorization may arrive and what effect, if any, it will have on the beleaguered Highway Trust Fund.