As Texas grapples with a rapidly increasing population and the financial burdens that come with it, local governments and school districts find themselves on a precarious path when it comes to balancing tax increases and substantial bond measures. Governor Greg Abbott’s recent push for stringent measures to restrict local tax hikes may create more complications
Politics
The House Budget Committee’s recent partisan maneuvering highlights a dramatic shift in the fiscal landscape of the United States. The approval of a budget resolution, passed along party lines, sets the stage for intense discussions regarding tax reform that stakeholders in the municipal market are closely observing. This article delves into the intricacies of the
The landscape of municipal finance is set to undergo a significant potential shift following recent legislative efforts aimed at restoring the ability of cities and states to advance refund tax-exempt debt. A group of bipartisan lawmakers, spearheaded by Representatives David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) and Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), alongside Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), has
The ongoing battle in Washington over the federal budget is casting long shadows over the future of municipal bonds, a crucial financing mechanism for local governments and communities across the United States. As advocates rally to preserve the tax-exempt status of these financial instruments, the stakes have never been higher for American cities and towns.
On a recent Wednesday, Houston’s city officials revealed an ambitious roadmap aimed at achieving significant savings for the 2026 fiscal budget. The focus of this initiative rests on achieving operational efficiencies, promoting accountability, and enhancing spending controls. Mayor John Whitmire emphasized the necessity of acting on the recommendations from an efficiency study conducted by Ernst
The recent unveiling of the House’s budget resolution represents a significant pivot in American fiscal policy, one that is set to steer the country on a course laden with both promise and pitfalls. With a proposed $1.5 trillion in cuts over the next decade, this budget proposal lays the groundwork for a colossal tax package
The state of Texas is grappling with an escalating water crisis, and action is imperative. Governor Greg Abbott’s recently proposed 10-year plan aims to invest an impressive $10 billion into addressing the state’s water infrastructure and supply challenges, acknowledging the growing pressures of an expanding population and deteriorating water resources. During his State of the
In a significant legal development, a Rhode Island district court judge has determined that the Trump administration is in violation of an order mandating the restoration of federal funds to states. This decision arises from a motion filed by 23 Democratic states, claiming that essential federal funding—specifically for infrastructure projects—remains unjustly frozen. The intricacies of
The recent announcement from the White House regarding a temporary freeze on federal funds for infrastructure projects—only to have the freeze rescinded—has created significant confusion within legislative and transportation sectors. Lawmakers express concern that the current administration’s approach undermines the collaborative spirit of bipartisan agreements, raising questions about the reliability of future federal reimbursements for
The job growth trajectory in Texas is showing signs of decline, with the latest forecast by the Dallas Federal Reserve indicating a modest increase of 1.6% in employment for 2025. This represents a slight decrease from the 1.7% growth anticipated for 2024 and a significant drop from the more robust 2.4% seen in 2023. The