The debate over environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments is ongoing, with state treasurers from different political backgrounds taking opposing stances. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, a Democrat, believes that ESG is a vital strategy for ensuring the long-term sustainability of companies. On the other hand, Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson, a Republican, expresses concerns
Politics
The recent announcement of $5 billion in federal grants for the repair of aging bridges across 16 states has brought attention to the deteriorating infrastructure in the United States. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the importance of these repairs, stating that these bridges play a crucial role in the economy and require urgent investment. The
BlackRock Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink believes that there are significant opportunities in private infrastructure investment. He highlighted that there is a generational demand for capital and infrastructure, especially in financing data centers for artificial intelligence and energy transition. Fink emphasized that private capital will play a critical role in meeting these infrastructure needs, either
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently confirmed during an interview at the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. that he will be completing his four-year term, which ends in May 2026. Despite speculation regarding his future in the role, Powell stated that he has no plans to vacate the position in the near future. This news
The recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Chevron doctrine has sparked a wave of concern among House Republican leaders. The ruling, which redefined the relationship between federal agencies and the courts, has prompted a review of the Biden administration’s environmental, social, and governance regulations. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Rep.
The Biden administration recently announced that public infrastructure built with federal emergency funds must adhere to stricter flood-risk standards to mitigate against the increasing threat posed by climate change. This new standard requires buildings and infrastructure constructed using Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to be elevated above local flood levels or relocated to safer
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is in need of replacement after being struck by a Singapore-flagged container vessel. However, the shortage of Federal Highway Administration emergency relief funds presents a significant challenge. As of June 25, there was a funding shortfall of over $3.5 billion, impacting projects in 38 states and territories stemming
Mayor Mike Johnston recently unveiled a plan that would introduce a sales tax hike in Denver to fund affordable housing. The proposal suggests a 0.5% tax increase that could generate around $100 million annually. This initiative comes shortly after the city council approved another sales tax hike of 0.34% to support Denver Health, aiming to
The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) recently priced over $1 billion of senior sales tax bonds amidst challenges posed by ridership and revenue losses in a post-COVID landscape. Similar to other transit agencies nationwide, the MBTA has had to grapple with the repercussions of the pandemic, including remote work environments and decreased streams of income.
The state of Illinois has seen a significant improvement in its financial standings, with the state comptroller reporting a 55% year-over-year increase in the end-of-year general revenue fund cash balance. This improvement comes as a stark contrast to previous years when the state faced massive backlogs of unpaid bills amounting to billions of dollars. A