Your intelligent source for municipal finance information

Tag state and local politics

Municipal Market Meltdown? Response to Bookstaber

We have two opposing camps in the muni-market at the moment: those who say it is the next systemic shoe to drop and the rating agencies that are systemically raising ratings. Which is right? We have moved from a market… Continue Reading →

Chapter 9 Municipal Bankruptcy in Pennsylvania

Westfall Township, Pennsylvania filed a Chapter 9 bankruptcy petition in April, 2009 and the court confirmed a reorganization plan in March, 2010.  According to the law firm that handled the case: Westfall Township, located in Pike County, PA, was saddled… Continue Reading →

State and Local Spending Increases 1982-2007

The tables below are for contextual reference as state and local governments face draconian spending cuts.   The combination of public policy with the several bubble periods over the last twenty-five years has created a toxic brew.  Some state and local governments are… Continue Reading →

Rethinking Municipal Guarantees, “look-throughs” and Ratings

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania can’t really afford to pay for the Resource Recovery bonds that it guaranteed.  Their recently adopted 2010 budget does not include debt service for this guarantee (see prior post with link).  It is accepted practice for rating agencies… Continue Reading →

State of the States — liquidity is becoming an issue

Several states are showing scary illiquidity.  New Jersey’s governor just yesterday impounded funds the legislature had already appropriated and announced a state of emergency.  He stopped short of “declaring” emergency, which would have given him special powers over contracts.  New… Continue Reading →

State and Local Layoffs

A blogsite, “Mish’s Global Economic Trend Analysis” recently aggregated a selection of news stories covering state and local government budget deficits and proposed layoffs.  Click here  to link to the post.  There are a few differences between private sector layoff announcements and the public… Continue Reading →

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024 The Public Purse — Powered by WordPress

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑