In recent debates within Texas, the move to impose stricter restrictions on local governments’ ability to raise property taxes is gaining momentum. The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 9, aims to lower the voter-approval tax rate multiplier from 3.5% to 2.5%, but beneath the surface lies a troubling trend: an oversimplified belief that reducing tax flexibility
Politics
The recent passage of a sweeping bipartisan housing bill by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs signals a remarkable departure from the typical gridlock and partisan posturing that has long plagued Washington. Officially dubbed the ROAD Act, this legislation aims to lift restrictions on housing credits, bonds, and rating incentives, in an
The alarming trend away from coal-dominated energy production signals more than just environmental progress; it exposes foundational vulnerabilities in local economies and the municipal bond market. As natural gas surges in importance, driven by technological innovations like fracking, the ripple effects are damaging communities that once depended heavily on coal. While many tout the environmental
The recent catastrophic floods in Texas, claiming over a hundred lives and inflicting billions in damages, have exposed more than just the state’s infrastructure vulnerabilities — they have laid bare the intricate and often conflicting priorities of political leadership. While immediate relief efforts dominate headlines, the political machinations surrounding tax restrictions, bond issuance, and fiscal
The recent survey by the National League of Cities paints a stark and unsettling picture of the financial future facing American cities. As the federal government’s infusion of pandemic relief and infrastructure investment begins to dry up, mayors across the nation confront an impending fiscal crisis that threatens local priorities and the stability of urban
The recent decision by the Trump administration to terminate a staggering $4 billion in federal grants for California’s high-speed rail project is more than just a bureaucratic setback; it is a reflection of deep-seated frustrations with a project plagued by chronic mismanagement and unrealistic expectations. While critics paint it as fiscal negligence, others argue that
Public-private partnerships (P3s) are often heralded as the solution to America’s aging infrastructure woes. They promise innovation, efficiency, and risk-sharing that the government alone cannot deliver. However, recent developments in the University of Iowa’s utility P3 serve as a stark reminder that these deals are riddled with hidden pitfalls. While the initial allure of a
In recent debates over the federal budget, a troubling pattern has emerged—massive cuts to Medicaid threaten to destabilize the very foundation of our higher education system. While policymakers often tout budget reductions as fiscal responsibility, their reverberations extend far beyond the immediate savings. The cuts, projected to reduce Medicaid spending by almost a trillion dollars
The recent overhaul of federal tax policies under the Trump-era law introduces a cascade of financial uncertainties for states heavily dependent on federal aid. While some analyses paint a picture of short-term stability, the reality reveals a silent erosion of fiscal capacity that could jeopardize state-level services. Many states, particularly those with high poverty rates,
Oregon’s transportation infrastructure, once the backbone of the state’s economy and safety, stands on the brink of collapse—not due to natural disaster, but from a legislative failure. The recent wave of layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) exposes a lesson in political shortsightedness and the dangers of neglecting essential public services. While policymakers