The recent warnings from S&P Global Ratings and industry experts like Tom Kozlik bring to light a financial time bomb awaiting detonation in U.S. municipal bonds. As federal funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) faces crippling cuts, we are headed toward an era where municipalities, particularly those in disaster-prone regions, will grapple with
Politics
As California’s ambitious high-speed rail project trudges forward, the rhetoric surrounding it paints a glowing picture of progress, yet the reality is sobering. Agency leaders, like CEO Ian Choudri of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, herald the project as a transformative venture for the Central Valley. However, with the cost ballooning from an initial estimate
The re-emergence of the Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act in the Senate has stirred aspirations for Native American tribes who have long grappled with inequitable treatment under the federal tax system. This bill aims to overhaul archaic legal frameworks that have historically marginalized tribal governments, relegating their financial aspirations to the periphery of legislative
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is often perceived as a shadowy entity drowning in bureaucracy, but the reality is much more alarming. Without a permanent commissioner at its helm, the agency is drifting in uncertainty. M. Jason Akers, president of the National Association of Bond Lawyers (NABL), recently voiced concerns about this leadership vacuum, calling
Louisiana finds itself facing a pivotal moment as a Senate committee recently decided to halt proposed tax cuts, significantly impacting the state’s fiscal strategy. These cuts, presented by Republican Representative Julie Emerson, could have slashed an astonishing $500 million annually from state revenues, a staggering amount that raises questions about the intellectual integrity of fiscal
In a significant political shift, BlackRock Inc. has been removed from Texas’ blacklist that barred companies from engaging with fossil fuels. This decision marks the culmination of a three-year saga that underscores a broader clash between environmental advocacy and economic pragmatism. The implications of this development extend far beyond the mere stock performance of a
At the heart of the contentious One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) lies a significant shift in tax policy regarding the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction. By suggesting to raise the cap from $10,000 to an impressive $40,000 for individuals earning under $500,000, House representatives seem to be making a politically motivated concession to
In an ambitious move that could have dramatically reshaped the landscape of online higher education in Idaho, the University of Idaho (UI) and the University of Phoenix recently suspended their negotiations for a strategic buyout. After two years of negotiations, this decision serves not just as a failed procurement but as a poignant reflection of
As we stand at the crossroads of fiscal responsibility and public infrastructure in the United States, it is evident that an impending crisis looms. The audacious $3.7 trillion funding gap for our infrastructure is more than just a number; it signals a deep-seated dysfunction in how American projects are conceived and financed. Federal reliance on
The state of fiscal governance in the West Coast trio of California, Oregon, and Washington has taken a dramatic downturn, leading to massive budget deficits as they roll into fiscal 2026. The economic health of these states is now being measured in alarming figures, including projected shortfalls of up to $12 billion in California alone.