Liz Farmer

Recent Articles

• 4 Myths About Public Pension Retirees
• Mar 8, 2013
• As pension reform debates continue, retiree advocates offer up a few common misconceptions about pensioners.
• 62 Comments

• Pension Transparency Fight Brewing on Capitol Hill
• Mar 5, 2013
• Public pension managers are gearing up for another battle against what they say would be costly -- and unnecessary -- accounting disclosure requirements being floated on Capitol Hill even as new disclosure rules take effect this summer.
• 1 Comments

• South Carolina Treasurer Fires Back After Censure
• Mar 1, 2013
• Despite official admonishment from the state investment commission, South Carolina State Treasurer Curtis Loftis is continuing to speak out against what he sees as mismanagement of pension funds.
• 1 Comments

• The 'B' Word: Is Municipal Bankruptcy's Stigma Fading?
• Feb 28, 2013
• There's a growing sense among some leaders that municipal bankruptcy -- unthinkable just a few years ago -- may be a valuable tool.
• 5 Comments

• Muni Bond Tax Exemption Repeal Could Spike Borrowing Costs by 50%
• Feb 28, 2013
• Total borrowing costs for cities, counties and states could increase by more than 50 percent if the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds is repealed as part of the ongoing budget talks on Capitol Hill, a new report has found.
• 4 Comments

• 6 State and Local Questions About Sequestration
• Feb 28, 2013
• Now that President Barack Obama said that he plans to sign the $1.2 trillion in spending cuts into law, how will states and municipalities be impacted?
• 10 Comments

• Even the Experts Disagree About Sequestration
• Feb 27, 2013
• Just days away from the deadline when across-the-board federal spending cuts kick in, two budget experts disagreed about what kind of impact the cuts would have on the national economy.
• 2 Comments

• Governors: A Four-Year Degree Doesn't Always Mean Job Growth
• Feb 25, 2013
• With the recession in the rearview mirror some state leaders say their biggest job growth challenge now is providing and fostering a workforce that can fill the demand of the new economy.

• How the Corn Belt Survived the 2012 Drought
• Feb 22, 2013
• Despite last year's drought, which was the worst since 1956, many farmers still ended the season on high notes.
• 2 Comments

• Obama Urges Another Postponement of Sequestration Cuts
• Feb 20, 2013
• President Barack Obama is urging Congress to postpone the Mar. 1 sequestration through a combination of spending cuts and closing tax loopholes, rather than risk the automatic 10 percent budget cuts that are scheduled to go into effect next month if no action is taken.

• Continuing Resolution Deadline Raises Concerns on Capitol Hill
• Feb 14, 2013
• While many eyes in the political world are watching Mar. 1, the deadline for sequestration’s automatic, across-the-board cuts of about 10 percent, another deadline later in the month may trigger more fireworks on Capitol Hill.

• As Sequestration Looms, Cities Create Their Own Economic Fate
• Feb 13, 2013
• Whether sequestration happens or not, some local finance leaders are preparing for leaner times ahead when it comes to federal aid.

• Landmark S&P Lawsuits Mark Improved State-Fed Relations
• Feb 11, 2013
• The lawsuits, which are the first against a credit ratings agency in connection with the economic meltdown, were a coordinated effort between states and feds who have historically clashed over who fights financial fraud.

• Michigan Gov.'s Plan to Increase Savings Draws Mixed Reaction
• Feb 8, 2013
• Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s $50.9 billion budget proposal this week included stocking away more savings while spending more on education, roads and heath care.
• 1 Comments

• Top Tax Bracket Backlash: California's Higher Earners Weighing Move
• Feb 7, 2013
• Sometimes it’s not good to be the king. And in California, higher earners are feeling a little put upon.
• 4 Comments