John E. Petersen

Recent Articles

• Costing Out Security
• Sep 1, 2005
• The economic burdens of "hardening" transit systems are huge--and raise politically divisive questions.

• Bubble Trouble
• Jul 1, 2005
• A puncturing of today's inflated real estate values would have negative and broadscale effects on local governments.

• The Oldest State
• May 1, 2005
• Gone are the comforts of an era when an ever-expanding economy coupled with growing populations could pay the future freight.

• Breaking a Bond
• Mar 1, 2005
• Advanced refundings are on the line as the federal government sees revenue in cutting off some muni bond tax breaks.

• No Help From Higher-Ups
• Jan 1, 2005
• The states can expect to bear the fiscal burden of major changes in federal taxes and domestic spending.

• Borrowers Beware
• Nov 1, 2004
• The SEC is going after muni bond issuers who fail to supply adequate information when their debt goes on sale.

• Buy Now, Pay Later
• Sep 1, 2004
• The problem in putting a price tag on government is that costs are deferred--buried in borrowed money and out of voters' sight.

• Retirement Rage
• Jul 1, 2004
• The high costs and rising profiles of public employee pension benefits are raising the public's hackles.

• Find Me the Money
• Jun 1, 2004
• In an era of uncertainty, states and localities are looking to some unusual options.

• Debtor's Dilemma
• May 1, 2004
• The core problem for states is not structural deficits. It's the polarizing disagreement over what to do about them.

• Tax Avoidance Inc.
• Mar 1, 2004
• Corporations today believe they owe it to their stockholders to minimize business taxes any way they can.

• A Leaky Roof
• Jan 1, 2004
• There's an $80 billion gap in what we spend and what we need to spend to maintain our infrastructure as is.

• Going For Broke
• Nov 1, 2003
• Using the initiative process, Californians have fiscally handcuffed their governor, legislature and local governments.

• Productivity Pinch
• Sep 1, 2003
• Because of the nature of the services they provide, states and localities find it difficult to increase productivity.

• Living With Less
• Jul 1, 2003
• No amount of casino gambling, Sunday liquor sales or sky-high taxes on tobacco and booze will close state budget gaps.