Washington

Vice President, Manager of Municipal Underwriting, Fidelity Capital Markets

When it comes to economists, the Federal Reserve is having little success achieving greater diversity.

The U.S. economy is growing slower than it has in the past couple of years, and conditions may get worse in the next few quarters, according to Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard.

Federal Reserve officials will probably seriously consider a new tool to contain short-term interest rates as they deliberate over when to start expanding the central bank’s balance sheet again, former New York Fed President William Dudley said.

A former top Federal Reserve official, who oversaw the U.S. central bank’s trading desk, has warned that the type of actions taken so far to quell this week’s turmoil in money markets may not be enough to keep conditions calm and fresh debt purchases may be needed.

Bank holdings in municipal securities continue to decline, as retail investors and mutual funds increase their holdings.

The Federal Reserve announced a series of overnight and term operations for the next three weeks, signaling that it has control over this vital corner of the financial markets.

Bipartisan legislation to streamline TIFIA has been introduced in Congress by two Texans.

States and cities have begun to factor climate risk into budgetary and other planning.

The Federal Reserve took center stage again Friday, with two presidents explaining why they dissented at the latest meeting and Vice Chair Richard Clarida terming it “healthy” debate.