Oklahoma County is currently embroiled in contentious legal battles regarding the proposed construction of a new jail. The situation escalated after the county filed a lawsuit against Oklahoma City for denying a special use permit, crucial for establishing the facility on a site located on the city’s outskirts. This move was prompted by the pressing
Politics
As we look towards the forthcoming years, a discernible shift in infrastructure spending policies is becoming apparent. This shift is primarily characterized by a renewed focus on transportation avenues, particularly in road and rail expansion. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, under the leadership of Rep. Sam Graves, has indicated that 2025 will mark a
Washington D.C.’s call for an enhanced budget amid security concerns has generated significant discussion in recent legislative discussions. The District’s proposal for fiscal year 2025 seeks a considerable $932 million from Congress, presenting an increase of $142 million from the previously enacted budget. This request not only emphasizes the need for more robust emergency preparedness,
California’s ambitious high-speed rail (HSR) initiative has long been a beacon of hope for modern transportation, but as political tides shift with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, the project faces unprecedented critical scrutiny and potentially devastating cuts. With a narrative steeped in delays, spiraling budgets, and political controversies, the HSR project has become
Connecticut is embarking on an ambitious strategy to bolster its transportation infrastructure through increased borrowing. This move is outlined in the most recent fiscal accountability report, which details the state’s future financial plans. Representative Maria Horn, who co-chairs the Connecticut House Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee, emphasizes the importance of harnessing available federal resources for
As the United States grapples with a tumultuous economic landscape punctuated by soaring deficits and ambitious tax reform proposals, municipal bonds find themselves in a precarious position. With promises of tax cuts that could potentially jeopardize the hard-won tax-exempt status of these bonds, municipal leaders are increasingly on edge. The stakes are high, as the
The Tampa Bay Rays are inching closer to securing their future with a new stadium, thanks to a recent decision made by the St. Petersburg City Council. On Thursday, the council voted 4 to 3 in favor of issuing $333.5 million in bonds to fund crucial aspects of the stadium project and the redevelopment of
In a recent interview at the New York Times’ Dealbook Summit, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell addressed concerns regarding the potential emergence of a so-called “shadow chair” within the Trump administration’s economic framework. This notion, proposed by Scott Bessent—Trump’s Treasury Secretary nominee—raises questions about the influence of prospective leadership decisions on the Federal Reserve’s operations
The Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA), enacted in December 2022, has stirred significant debate within the municipal bond community. While it aims to enhance transparency and streamline data reporting for municipal securities, critics argue that the law poses an unwarranted regulatory burden that could disproportionately affect smaller issuers. Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), a key proponent
The recent accolade awarded to Brightline by The Bond Buyer, which recognized its $3.2 billion recapitalization as the 23rd annual Deal of the Year, underscores a transformative moment in the sphere of infrastructure financing in the United States. This monumental deal, representing the largest issuance of private-activity bonds and the first investment-grade debt specifically for