The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) has recently unveiled its budget for the fiscal year 2025, totaling $48.8 million. This figure represents a modest 2.9% increase compared to the previous fiscal year. Notably, this marks the board’s first budgetary approval following the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) suspension of the FY2024 rate card, an action
Politics
In California, the nexus between education funding and legal frameworks has become increasingly contentious, culminating in a high-stakes lawsuit initiated by the California School Boards Association (CSBA). At the heart of this dispute lies Proposition 98, a constitutional mandate designed to secure a stable funding source for schools and community colleges. The CSBA challenges the
The landscape of economic management requires a nuanced understanding of multiple indicators, especially inflation and unemployment rates. These traditional pillars have long guided the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions. However, recent remarks by Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicate a shift towards incorporating personal savings into this equation. This article aims to dissect this evolving approach,
As the dynamics of American political life shift, the House Municipal Finance Caucus welcomes a new co-chair, Rep. Terri Sewell from Alabama. This change comes on the retirement of Maryland’s Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, marking a significant moment for the caucus, which plays a critical role in shaping policies that impact municipal finance. The transition of
On a busy Wednesday, the U.S. Congress managed to clinch a deal that will avert a government shutdown while maintaining federal funding essential for the functioning of state and local agencies. This crucial bipartisan initiative passed through both the House of Representatives and the Senate, with a decisive margin—341 to 82 in the House and
The intricate landscape of state tax policies has witnessed a notable shift in recent years, transitioning from a phase of robust tax cuts to an emerging crisis of budget deficits. As the effects of the pandemic begin to wane and the economy stabilizes, a stark realization settles in: many states are ill-prepared for the financial
New Mexico’s recent rating assessment by Moody’s has become a focal point of discussion, particularly following the agency’s revision of its outlook on the state’s Aa2 rating from stable to positive. This shift, while seemingly an affirmation of New Mexico’s economic resilience, is also wrapped in noteworthy caveats that deserve a deeper analysis. The state’s
The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) has made a game-changing decision with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approving amendments to Rule G-14, which pertains to customer transaction reporting. This new regulation reduces the time window for trade reporting from 15 minutes to just one minute. While a formal compliance deadline is yet to be
The Hudson Tunnel Project is poised to become a pivotal development in enhancing the transportation infrastructure between New Jersey and New York City. With the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) nearing the completion of its financial framework, particularly the final grant from the Federal Railroad Administration expected soon, it stands as a beacon of progress amidst
In a groundbreaking initiative, local and state governments across the United States have received a boost from the Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant program. This innovative approach, created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, aims to encourage municipalities to systematically catalog their assets with an eye toward potential public-private partnerships (P3s).