• All Systems in Distress
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   November 1, 2008
• Even if the Wall Street bailout works, state and local governments will have fiscal problems for a long time.

• The Big Bill
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   September 1, 2008
• In Massachusetts, there is an ongoing disconnect between enjoying the good things in life and paying for them.

• Bond Bliss
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   July 1, 2008
• The U.S. Supreme Court expresses its fondness for muni bonds and accepts the way things are.

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

• A Time of Testing
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   March 1, 2008
• The municipal bond market is dealing with uncertain times -- not of its own making.

• The Hidden Tax
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   January 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
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   November 1, 2007
• Public pension funds are being drawn like bears after honey to these risky, unregulated but high-reward investments.

• Tax and Abuse
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   September 1, 2007
• .

• Kentucky Fried Bonds
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   July 1, 2007
• A Supreme Court case on state exemptions of interest income from muni bonds could fire up big changes in the bond market.

• Lassoing GASB 45
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   May 1, 2007
• Texas is leading a charge to get rid of the accounting rule that forces states and localities to tally the future costs of health benefits for retirees.

• Fueling a Tax
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   March 1, 2007
• A drive toward increased efficiency in energy and reduced oil consumption means state revenue systems will undergo wrenching changes.

• The Check Is in the Mail
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   January 1, 2007
• If the economy turns down this year, will the feds rescue the states the way they did in 2003?

• The Check is in the Mail
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   January 2007
• If the economy turns down this year, will the feds rescue the states the way they did in 2003?

• Seat-Belt Budgeting
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   September 2006
• There's economic turbulence ahead that state budget and fiscal systems may not weather well.

• Guide to Municipal Finance
• BY: John E. Petersen   |   June 2006
• Credit Raters Make Their Mark

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