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John E. Petersen

John E. Petersen

Columnist

John E. Petersen was GOVERNING's Public Finance columnist for over two decades, with more than 40 years of experience in domestic and international finance conducting research, financial advisory work and teaching. He was a professor at the School of Public Policy at George Mason University. He passed away April 4, 2012.

Deep cuts in state and local spending may exert an undertow on the nation's recovery.
Assumptions about return rates and risky investments foreshadow big problems.
It is an understatement to say that the financial markets are in an "unsettled" state. They are in paroxysms of uncertainty. For those in charge...
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State borrowing takes on so many forms that it's hard to figure out what the total is.
Build America Bonds are like the cash-for-clunkers program: They bring buyers in.
The Golden State's voters opted for more schools, roads and research, but then refused to pay for them.
A subsection of the federal recovery act may kill off the muni bond as we know it.
A drive toward increased efficiency in energy and reduced oil consumption means state revenue systems will undergo wrenching changes.
If the economy turns down this year, will the feds rescue the states the way they did in 2003?