The Tampa Bay Rays have taken significant strides in their quest for a new home as the St. Petersburg City Council has moved the project forward by approving a considerable bond package of $333.5 million. This critical decision, passed by a narrow 4 to 3 margin, represents not just a green light for the stadium
Politics
In a recent discussion at the New York Times’ Dealbook Summit, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell addressed growing concerns about the influence of political figures on the central bank’s autonomy. Amid speculation regarding a so-called “shadow Fed chair,” a concept introduced by Scott Bessent, Trump’s proposed Treasury Secretary, Powell confidently dismissed fears of any diminishment
In a remarkable achievement that signals a significant shift in infrastructure funding across the United States, Brightline has recently been awarded The Bond Buyer’s 23rd Annual Deal of the Year. This honor stems from a groundbreaking $3.2 billion recapitalization project, which stands as the largest private-activity bond issuance and marks the debut of investment-grade debt
The enactment of the Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA), introduced to enhance data disclosure standards for municipal bonds, has elicited strong reactions from various stakeholders within the financial landscape. While the law, passed in December 2022, mandates that disclosures be presented in a machine-readable format, there remain significant apprehensions regarding its implications for municipal bond
The evolving dialogue surrounding the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy is particularly critical as the end of the fiscal year approaches. Recent comments by Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller suggest a possible pivot in interest rate strategy, emphasizing the central bank’s balancing act in responding to economic data while attempting to steer inflation toward its target.
As the 118th Congress prepares to conclude its business, all eyes are focused on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers are expected to finalize critical government funding and national defense authorization bills in the upcoming lame-duck session concluding on December 20. This period is often fraught with urgency and tension as legislators grapple with pressing issues that
The recent downgrade of Manhattan, Kansas’s issuer and general obligation ratings by Moody’s Investor Service highlights critical issues in municipal governance and financial management. The city’s rating plummeted from Aa3 to A1 on account of significant delays in the submission of its fiscal 2022 audited financial statements, paired with adverse financial indicators that suggest a
Recently, the Washington, D.C., City Council has embarked on a significant initiative to revamp its sports infrastructure, securing funding for a variety of projects that aim to breathe new life into the local sports ecosystem. At the forefront of these developments is a substantial $515-million renovation plan for the Capital One arena, a pivotal venue
In the aftermath of devastating hurricanes, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is urgently appealing to Congress for critical financial assistance aimed at rejuvenating public transit systems. The organization has officially requested at least $57.5 million in emergency appropriations to support the Federal Transit Administration’s Public Transportation Emergency Relief program. This call to action underscores
The nomination of Scott Bessent for the role of Treasury Secretary in President-elect Trump’s administration has elicited a wave of optimism among leaders in the municipal finance sector. Given the pivotal nature of this role in shaping tax policies that affect the municipal bond market, Bessent’s extensive expertise and background in financial markets makes him