John E. Petersen

Recent Articles

• Defining State Debt
• Jan 1, 2010
• State borrowing takes on so many forms that it's hard to figure out what the total is.

• A Boost for the Muni Bond Market
• Nov 1, 2009
• Build America Bonds are like the cash-for-clunkers program: They bring buyers in.

• California: Paying the Price for Indulging Citizens
• Sep 1, 2009
• The Golden State's voters opted for more schools, roads and research, but then refused to pay for them.
• 2 Comments

• Breaking Bonds
• Jul 1, 2009
• A subsection of the federal recovery act may kill off the muni bond as we know it.
• 3 Comments

• Buffett's Bad Bet
• May 1, 2009
• The financial genius overestimates the risk of default on insured muni bonds.

• Spend Now, Save Later
• Mar 1, 2009
• After the fun and games of a stimulus bump, stringency lies ahead.

• Revenue Revisions
• Jan 1, 2009
• States and localities should use the current fiscal trauma to adjust and amend the ways they raise money.

• All Systems in Distress
• Nov 1, 2008
• Even if the Wall Street bailout works, state and local governments will have fiscal problems for a long time.

• The Big Bill
• Sep 1, 2008
• In Massachusetts, there is an ongoing disconnect between enjoying the good things in life and paying for them.

• Bond Bliss
• Jul 1, 2008
• The U.S. Supreme Court expresses its fondness for muni bonds and accepts the way things are.

• Mayhem and the Markets
• May 31, 2008
• 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...

• Rating the Ratings
• May 1, 2008
• For many issuers, going to market without insurance is unappetizing. But that may be changing.

• A Time of Testing
• Mar 1, 2008
• The municipal bond market is dealing with uncertain times -- not of its own making.

• The Hidden Tax
• Jan 1, 2008
• When the collection of revenue is too convenient, it can lead to consequences that may or may not be intended.

• Diving into the Hedges
• Nov 1, 2007
• Public pension funds are being drawn like bears after honey to these risky, unregulated but high-reward investments.