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Finance

Funerals have become a luxury that many Americans can’t afford. Cities and counties are paying the price.

Politics & Elections

West Sacramento, Calif.'s Christopher Cabaldon has revived his town and become a player on the national stage.

The Week in Public Finance

A week after San Francisco ended its "Twitter tax break," Washington, D.C., ditched some incentives for tech companies.

Public Safety & Justice

Ransomware attacks are becoming more sophisticated and taking longer for governments to recover from. Some of Baltimore's services have been down for nearly a month.

The Week in Public Finance

Most states have improved their finances since the last one.

Education

New studies shed light on how low-income children can beat the odds that are against them in school and beyond.

Finance

The short-term effects haven't been as bad as predicted, but local governments are still worried about the long term.

The Week in Public Finance

As they start to roll in, some say the tobacco settlement offers a cautionary tale.

The Week in Public Finance

Houston firefighters are getting what they wanted. But it's coming at a cost.

Finance

A growing body of evidence shows that "alternative investments" may be lowering returns and costing state and local governments more.

Finance

Federal tax reform and the economy are boosting state coffers -- for now.

The Week in Public Finance

There's a growing movement to, but some say it's a misguided policy.

The Week in Public Finance

Democrats are pushing legislation to require presidential candidates to release their tax returns. The same rules don't apply for most statewide elections -- but that could change.

The Week in Public Finance

Tax breaks likely aren't enough to lure investors to low-income communities in rural areas. There are ways they can become more attractive.

Education

A new study confirms that the less teachers are paid, the more likely they are to protest. Only a few of the lowest-paid districts have yet to see a strike.

The Week in Public Finance

The part of the 2017 law that high-tax states are battling in court is likely helping them lower their debt -- at least in the short-term.

The Week in Public Finance

Baltimore hopes to spearhead two class action lawsuits that accuse banks of rate fixing.

Finance

Median earnings, poverty and employment rates have stagnated, and racial gaps have worsened, according to a new Brookings report. Five cities, however, are bucking these trends.

The Week in Public Finance

A new GAO report signals bad news for places that will try to rebuild after the Midwest flooding.

Health & Human Services

The funding influx is saving lives, but a new report says the federal government needs to stop "treating addiction as if it’s an acute condition instead of a chronic one."

The Week in Public Finance

The SAFE Banking Act passed a congressional committee on Thursday, meaning it’s already made it farther in the legislative process than the previous version.

Finance

Washington state, which gave Boeing $1 billion over the past four years, has a well-established system to evaluate tax deals. Many governments don't.

The Week in Public Finance

The president's 2020 proposal would slash domestic spending by nearly 10 percent and increase defense spending by 5 percent.

The Week in Public Finance

For the first time since the Great Recession, most states have restored their education cuts. But the places where protests have erupted still have a long way to go.

Finance

New research shows that it's not rare for companies to lower their job promises after accepting tax incentives from the government.

The Week in Public Finance

Kentucky and Illinois are weighing extreme options to reduce their pension debt -- but critics say they could ultimately cost the states more.

Infrastructure & Environment

After PG&E's bankruptcy and downgrades, S&P says more could follow if the state doesn't reform utility regulations.

Politics & Elections

Sylvester Turner’s focus on consensus-building has earned him praise -- and criticism.

The Week in Public Finance

Unlike states, localities are more constrained in their ability to raise revenues. It's creating big budget deficits for some school districts.

Finance

How much home sales impacts a place depends a lot on its property tax policies.

Finance

The president's plan to build a border wall could cost the most for California, Hawaii and Maryland -- three of the 16 states suing to block the declaration.

Finance

Lawmakers in at least a half-dozen states are considering forming a compact in which they would agree to end efforts to lure companies with tax incentives.

Finance

A new study of Baltimore shows that private capital is more often spent in low-poverty places that don't need it as much.

The Week in Public Finance

The American Federation of Teachers wants public pensions to dump their holdings in private prison companies. But some argue politics shouldn't guide investment decisions.

Finance

A total of 37 states are under one-party control. While that usually means legislation moves quickly, it doesn't always equate to better fiscal policies.

The Week in Public Finance

For the first time in some states, people can bet on the football championship game. Will it result in the revenue boost officials are hoping for?

The Week in Public Finance

It's not the only place where government coffers might have taken a hit.

Finance

Income tax collections are down in several states compared to a year ago. Some worry it's a sign of things to come.

The Week in Public Finance

The idea is gaining popularity as a way to get around federal laws that ban banks from handling cannabis businesses' money. But a new report pans the idea.

The Week in Public Finance

Connecticut tops the list of states whose taxpayers receive the least bang for their buck from the feds.

Finance

Retiree health care is one of the fastest-growing line items in government budgets and, in response, some governments are scrapping their traditional health plans.

Finance

Programs that help the most vulnerable populations -- including food stamps, cash welfare and child care -- are most affected.

Finance

The idea has advantages for pensions and is likely to be attractive to places with major pension funding issues.

Politics & Elections

A new survey reveals how little the public knows about their state government. Media coverage is partly to blame.

The Week in Public Finance

Despite going into special session, lawmakers still don't have a solution for the least-funded pension system in the nation.

Finance

Observers thought the federal law would stifle the sale of municipal bonds -- and in effect infrastructure projects. But it hasn't been that bad.

The Week in Public Finance

The bulk of the funding boosts are going toward education and rainy day savings.

The Week in Public Finance

Economists say the unprecedented period of economic growth may be coming to an end.

Finance

Governments in the U.S. are starting to accept cryptocurrencies, a controversial method of payment that got its start on the dark web.

The Week in Public Finance

Platte County, Mo., is being punished for its resistance to bailing out a retail center that opened during the recession and has struggled to make bond payments.

Finance

It’s an increasingly divisive question. If the goal is to affect change -- from gun control to climate change -- some argue that to divest is the best, while others believe pensions would have more power keeping their financial stake.

Finance

This is the first holiday season since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to tax online shopping.

Finance

State and local officials devoted thousands of hours, and put other projects on hold, to lure the company.

The Week in Public Finance

Budget directors are still figuring out how much of the tax law's impact on state revenues was a one-time boost.

Finance

The VA is working with states and cities to use the innovative financing approach to help veterans with PTSD find gainful employment. If it's successful, the payoff for investors is big.

The Week in Public Finance

Efforts to raise state taxes largely failed. That wasn't the case at the local level.

Politics & Elections

An unprecedented number of female candidates ran for state or local office this year.

Finance

It's one of just two states that limits the income tax rate.

Finance

The election defeats come at a time when support for raising teacher pay is at an all-time high.

Finance

In a year when the Trump administration is dialing back financial regulations, Colorado becomes the 16th state to limit the notoriously high interest rates on payday loans.

Finance

Voters handed Republican lawmakers a victory by passing a new supermajority requirement to raise taxes. But it's debatable whether it will actually curb tax increases.

The Week in Public Finance

One-third of states will be "super-aged" by 2026, weighing down economies and finances for years to come.

Public Safety & Justice

The Oklahoma city's "Black Wall Street" was one of the richest African-American neighborhoods in the country. Then whites burned it to the ground.

Finance

Businesses wanted voters to protect exemptions, loopholes and tax breaks that collectively cost the state more than $12 billion a year.

Finance

Voters rejected a financial practice already common in most other oil-dependent states.

The Week in Public Finance

A new report ranks the most and least fair tax systems.

Finance

As service taxes gain favor as a way to raise revenue, there's a growing movement to stop them. Voters in Arizona joined it on Tuesday.

The Week in Public Finance

The revised trade pact keeps the original agreement's free trade zone intact while placing some new burdens on the auto industry.

The Week in Public Finance

Lawmakers want to raise taxes on pharmaceutical companies to help pay for the cost of the opioid crisis. But success has been elusive.

Finance

The older a state is, according to new research, the more likely it is to have money problems.

Finance

Ballot measures in California and Louisiana sought to protect homeowners from huge property tax spikes.

Finance

A new report shows pension plan investments are seeing lower returns and are more volatile than ever.

Finance

But according to two analyses, a majority of states have nearly enough savings to weather a downturn.

The Week in Public Finance

In its bid to start collecting a sales tax on internet purchases, Colorado could run afoul of the Supreme Court's ruling.

Finance

The IRS has moved to block high-tax states from circumventing GOP limits on tax deductions -- but not in every way possible.

The Week in Public Finance

In an unexpected decision, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the ballot measure's wording was misleading to voters.

Finance

The once-quiet place reserved for technical experts is increasingly being held hostage in political fights.

Finance

MLS' Columbus Crew is willing to pay for a new stadium in Austin, but is the Texas city really getting a deal?

The Week in Public Finance

In bidding for the company's second headquarters, many cities may have tipped their hand on tax incentives.

The Week in Public Finance

A new report identifies the different factors affecting a city's ability to respond to a fiscal crisis -- and what policymakers can do about it.

Finance

It's been another good year for public pension investment returns. But the gains won't make a big difference in their overall fiscal health.

The Week in Public Finance

The state is considering a policy that goes further than most places that tax short-term rental companies.

Finance

The California city, known for its out-there policies, will be the nation's first to issue municipal bonds using cryptocurrency.

Finance

A first-of-its-kind study looks at how local news outlets shutting down impacts cities' and counties' finances.

Finance

Connecticut, Maryland, New York and New Jersey argue that new GOP tax policies violate states' rights and unduly punish their populations.

The Week in Public Finance

Most states don't know how much they spend on extreme weather events.

Finance

Green bonds help governments finance environmental projects. It's unclear whether they help governments' finances.

The Week in Public Finance

The revenue-raising strategy is more common in blue states. So far, four Democratic-controlled states have passed such a tax.

Infrastructure & Environment

Investors are lining up to buy them to fund environmental projects.

The Week in Public Finance

The Supreme Court dealt a blow to public-sector unions this week. Whether it'll save governments labor costs is debatable.

Finance

Even the return to one-party rule hasn't helped the perennial budget battles in Trenton.

The Week in Public Finance

The landmark decision could boost state governments' revenues by tens of billions of dollars a year. But first, they have to decide how to take advantage of it. Some hope the ruling will spur Congress to pass national rules.

Finance

Lawsuits are costing governments millions, and, in some cases, forcing them to shut down departments.

The Week in Public Finance

Thanks in large part to a steady economy, states are finishing 2018 better than they expected.

Finance

State unemployment insurance trust funds were decimated during the last recession. A decade later, many still don't have the funds to weather the next downturn.

Finance

A decade ago, most sought two or three ratings before selling their bonds. Not anymore.

Finance

New research provides a formula to help cities and counties know what to expect, financially, when drug deaths spike.

The Week in Public Finance

The IRS wants to thwart state efforts to avoid the new cap on state and local tax deductions. It's unclear whether that would be legal -- or effective.

Finance

Other legislators aren't so sure.

The Week in Public Finance

A new requirement forces states and municipalities to annually report the terms and amount of loans they have taken directly from banks. It's a growing source of financing for many public entities.

Finance

It's already stirring anger among corporations, and nearby cities are trying to capitalize on that.

The Week in Public Finance

Harvey, Ill., is facing insolvency thanks to its pension crisis. Some say it won't be the only one.

Finance

The Supreme Court outlawed a federal ban on sports betting on Monday, and some states are poised to capitalize.

The Week in Public Finance

County jail populations are booming, even as state prison populations decline. It's forcing some places to turn to the taxpayers for help.

Finance

But should cities and counties be paying for lawyers to help undocumented immigrants facing deportation?

Finance

The ransom hackers' demand is typically much smaller than what it costs governments to respond.

The Week in Public Finance

The Motor City still has massive debt and pension obligations. Remaining independent will involve a precarious balancing act.

The Week in Public Finance

Previous federal programs to incentivize investment in low-income areas haven't worked. Some are betting this will.

Finance

Major league teams used to get everything they wanted from sports-mad cities. Now they have to fight for it -- and increasingly, they’re losing.

The Week in Public Finance

Two economists argue that they aren't. Instead, they say, policymakers should focus on larger employers.

The Week in Public Finance

Up until now, high-tax states have complained the most.

Finance

Ride-hailing services are crying foul. But cities and states say they’re merely taxing services.

Infrastructure & Environment

It's meant to help property owners afford energy-efficiency upgrades. But some have concerns over lending standards and consumer protections.

The Week in Public Finance

Oklahoma is now the second state to reverse course on tax cuts in favor of boosting teacher pay. Will Arizona be next?

The Week in Public Finance

Several major programs -- some that the White House aimed to eliminate -- will get a significant funding boost. President Trump signed the bill hours after threatening to veto it.

Finance

The regulations that took effect this year let governments decide what's worth reporting, leading many to not report anything at all.

The Week in Public Finance

The first major bipartisan banking bill since Dodd-Frank has some potential pluses and minuses for states and localities.

The Week in Public Finance

President Trump's "Buy American" policies are expected to cause the most harm to states such as Florida, Michigan and Texas.

Finance

Congress and the state of New York are trying to bring down the infrastructure bills. But what's making them so high?

The Week in Public Finance

In case the Supreme Court legalizes it this summer, states are racing to take advantage of the new revenue. But it likely won't be the jackpot they're hoping for.

Infrastructure & Environment

Water utilities are struggling to lower their operation costs and simultaneously meet stricter environmental rules. Blue Drop, the brainchild of DC Water’s former leader, wants to help.

The Week in Public Finance

Hennepin County, Minn., did a deep dive into what it was spending on the opioid crisis. The numbers were alarming.

Finance

A review of the 20 finalists finds that several are already forgoing hundreds of millions of dollars in potential revenue each year and might not be able to afford to give up more.

The Week in Public Finance

States are exploring tax changes in response to the federal overhaul. The proposals in Iowa and New York this week may just be the tip of the iceberg.

The Week in Public Finance

After a brief shutdown on Friday, the House voted just before dawn on a two-year spending plan.

Finance

Some of its expenses are easy to quantify. But most aren’t.

Management & Labor

At a time when most government agencies are only vaguely aware of the technology, Colorado could become an early adopter.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Connecticut, New York and New Jersey say that GOP tax policies unduly punish their populations. Some doubt whether their claims would stand up in court.

Management & Labor

At the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting this week, a panel of female mayors gathered to discuss the movement's impact on them and the way they lead their communities.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

It's a big election year, and legislative agendas won’t be focused on raising revenue.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

But there's uncertainty about whether the IRS will accept the workaround.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

For one, many states have to figure out how to manage their marijuana revenue.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Key provisions will likely increase states and localities' current debt load and make it more expensive for them to borrow in the future. The bill's impact on supply and demand in the municipal bond market, however, is unclear.

Innovation Perspectives

The city hopes to involve minority firms in a big way -- but there are major hurdles it must first overcome.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Amid uncertainty about federal tax reform, states are exercising caution with their fiscal 2018 budgets.

Infrastructure & Environment

The state has passed unprecedented regulations to protect borrowers from taking on debt they can't afford to pay back.

Innovation Perspectives

The Windy City is ahead of most places when it comes to making improvements to the way it buys goods and services. But the city's biggest challenge still lies ahead.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The legal strategy to get states to provide adequate education funding has changed -- and it's working in schools' favor.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Gov. Mary Fallin’s office estimates state agencies spend up to $58 million a year on monogrammed giveaways like key chains, pens and stress balls.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The increase in annual spending is largely due to rising health-care costs and increased investment in transportation.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Politics & Elections

Minority and LGBTQ women, in particular, scored big victories in state and local races across the country.

Finance

And the report card isn't good: Most states failed to balance their budgets without resorting to one-time fixes or underfunding pensions, among other violations.

Finance

The ballot measure was widely supported by lenders and real estate agents. Critics warn that it's “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Politics & Elections

Voters easily passed a ballot measure allowing judges to strip pensions from any public servant convicted of a job-related crime.

Finance

State and local stakeholders were blindsided by an aspect of the tax bill that would eliminate tax-free financing for many large government projects.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Oklahoma's money problems represent a larger trend in state government.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Politics & Elections

A ballot measure would allow judges to strip pensions from corrupt public servants. But ethics watchdogs say the measure is little more than window dressing.

Finance

Come November, voters will weigh in on a ballot measure that relaxes rules on home equity loans.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A new report says one-third of states will face severe fiscal stress during the next economic downturn.

Finance

Massachusetts is deciding whether to keep marijuana tax revenue from anti-pot municipalities, stirring a debate that some states have already settled and others may face in the future.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

They both had bleak financial outlooks even before the hurricanes hit.

Finance

The unique anti-tax tool has defined spending in the state, and it may spread to more states.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The highly anticipated rules might spur lenders to lobby states to loosen their own laws.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The state's way of governing may be causing some of its capital city's financial problems.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Cities still haven't recovered from the recession, and a new report concludes that they might instead be sliding into another fiscal contraction.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Politics and finances are largely to blame. But some say it's a trend not worth worrying about.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Management & Labor

It's called blockchain. Some say it will have a bigger impact than the internet.

Management & Labor

Previous attempts to address the state's pension crisis haven't gone far enough. This time around, past, present and future employees could take a hit.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

States and localities say direct loans aren't as much of a hassle as issuing bonds. That may be true, but they're also riskier.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

To find it, a new book says, localities need look no further than their roads, airports and convention centers.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

One good investment year isn't enough to fix struggling systems' problems.

Management & Labor

Congress jeopardized the future of state plans to help private employees save for retirement. States don't seem to care.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The latest plans in California and New Jersey have observers asking: creative solution or accounting gimmick?

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

New research shows immigrants ultimately make state and local governments more money on average than native-born Americans.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The state's lawmakers have until the end of the week to pass a budget -- something they haven't been able to do in years. If they don't, the consequences are dire.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Governors and legislatures are keeping spending growth at its lowest level since the recession to make sure they're prepared for the next one.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

While it seems far-fetched, the danger is real for small governments.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Education

Education funding has yet to bounce back from the recession in many states. But nowhere is the situation more dire than in Oklahoma.

Finance

The city is on the brink of making a speedy turnaround. Many worry that the tough financial decisions it took to get there could reverse some of its political progress.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

But observers disagree about whether it will work.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Last week's ruling leaves open a key legal question that could make cities unlikely to file suit.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A new study confirms a long-held assumption but also reveals a potentially big problem for the future.

Management & Labor

Their discontent with the status quo and attraction to a big challenge has led to some unexpected moves from city to city.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Whether and how Congress passes a budget this week could indicate what's to come when negotiations start for the next year, which will be the first full budget under President Trump.

Politics & Elections

Women have mobilized in large numbers to run for office before. Women-in-politics advocates want to make sure it's sustainable this time.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Management & Labor

Congress could overturn a rule that allows states to create private-sector retirement programs. But it only has a limited time to do it.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

States and localities are wary of the president's support for the Build America Bonds program.

Education

A continuing education program for teachers has the power to reduce attrition rates, but it's having trouble catching on.

Management & Labor

The billionaire philanthropist has vowed to secure retirement for public employees. So why do so many public employees despise him?

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

D.C. and more than a dozen states are shunning paperless refunds to avoid being conned out of hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

North Carolina wants to use existing low rates to shore up retiree pensions and health-care debt.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Education

Fake news is as old as Bigfoot. But social media and the president have fueled its recent proliferation.

Finance

When state laws drive so-called "debt traps" to shut down, the industry moves its business online. Do their low-income customers follow?

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Most states don't keep track of how much they give to students and their families in tax breaks. That could be hurting their ability to make college affordable for all.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Management & Labor

The laws about public records differ from one government to the next and are further complicated by some technologies, like police body cameras.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Several states are preparing to offer a retirement plan that helps private-sector workers -- and taxpayers -- save money.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

In addition to new tax breaks, some states are also considering raising gas and sin taxes.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

After several years of growth, the amount states are socking away in rainy day funds has slowed.

Management & Labor

The city has an unusually high number of women in leadership positions, even in male-dominated departments like police and fire. Why is that?

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Management & Labor

Contrary to popular belief, a new study shows there's been almost no progress over the last 70 years.

Finance

In what could be a tumultuous year for state and local finances, these five issues are likely to take center stage.

Finance

With less people and money, small towns are prone to making big and expensive errors. One company wants to change that.

Public Safety & Justice

More than half the states have passed laws to protect victims, but the laws aren’t always enforced and often produce new challenges.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

They're bringing in new investors, big and small, to disperse the power and lower interest rates. It's already paying off for some governments.

Finance

Almost half the states cut their budgets this year, and that trend is likely to continue into 2017.

Finance

No government can be fully prepared for every economic twist and turn. Still, some are trying.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Lawmakers almost never know a company's full tax picture when they sign away corporate tax credits. That's unlikely to change any time soon.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A new NASBO report cites a volatile stock market and modest national economic growth for the slowdown.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The first-ever environmental impact bond gives an agency some of its money back if its idea doesn't pan out.

Education

Voters in two states rejected measures that would have raised taxes -- either for consumers or corporations.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Education

As other states launch similar plans to improve education, Georgia is back to the drawing board.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

In an anti-debt climate, voters in the two states cleared the way for spending on major economic development projects.

Finance

New rules are forcing states and localities to calculate how much revenue they’re losing to business deals -- and whether they pay off. It’s something Washington state has been doing for a decade.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

But cities are still dealing with slow revenue growth and rising costs, according to a new report.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A new study suggests outsourcing government services can disproportionately impact low-income users' finances, health and safety.

Education

The state, which has more English-language learners than any other, restricted bilingual education in the '90s. Voters are bringing it back.

Finance

Mayor Sylvester Turner is garnering praise for his proposal's comprehensiveness and balance.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

State and local governments are trying unconventional ways to fund their pension liabilities, such as offering lump-sum cash payments to employees.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Elections

With Atlantic City in financial crisis because of casino closures, the state's voters aren't willing to take any more gambles.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The retailers are deploying a ‘dark store’ strategy that’s hurting cities and counties around the country.

Elections

As states increasingly try to tax services like Netflix and yoga, Missouri voters have decided to keep that from ever happening. How that will impact consumers is unclear.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Unlike Detroit or Stockton, this California city’s insolvency can’t be blamed on debt or pensions.

Finance

Financial timeliness is a problem that's 'widespread and pervasive,' the SEC said.

Elections

They joined the growing number of states that regulate the industry that critics say traps poor people in a cycle of debt.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

For financially distressed municipalities, it’s good to be in a state that intervenes, according to a new study.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A volatile stock market over the past year has taken a toll on public pension assets.

Finance

As the world's second-largest economy falters, pensions and tax revenues here are feeling the pinch.

Management & Labor

The federal change won’t just hit state and local personnel costs.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla said the island's rescue might simply be a harbinger of things to come on the mainland.

Finance

Economic output would get a big boost if more women were in the workplace. A new report shows how far places have to go to close that gap.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The city’s young treasurer has turned a moribund office into a hive of activity, fueling speculation that he has higher aspirations.

Finance

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Finance

A questionable bond sale in Illinois has left some wondering why there's no one to stop financially troubled governments from borrowing.

Finance

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Finance

States' overall budgets finally surpassed pre-recession peaks this year -- but not everywhere.

Finance

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Finance

Nathan Bomey, author of a new book on the largest Chapter 9 filing in U.S. history, reveals the unsung heroes and true timeline of the event.

Finance

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Finance

If approved, a new rule would make it easier for groups to challenge the tax exemptions that state and local governments get from the feds.

Finance

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Finance

Legislative attempts to tax nonprofits have fallen short. But recent legal challenges could present a financial problem for nonprofits and a financial boost for governments.

Finance

Even if an area has no cases of the virus, it could feel a financial impact.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A new report says the fees pension plans pay private equity and hedge fund managers aren't worth it.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Nowhere are tax incentives more complicated -- and some say pointless -- than in Kansas City.

Finance

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Finance

Provoked by legislators, online retailers have filed a lawsuit against the state that could have taxing consequences nationwide.

Finance

States are passing laws that -- they hope -- will lead to lawsuits that land the issue before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Management & Labor

He’s not the governor. He’s not a lawmaker. But thanks to the way he runs his state’s pension plans, David Bronner may be the most powerful man in Alabama.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Bad press has blurred the fact that not all public pension plans are underfunded and overly generous.

Politics & Elections

Term limits were billed as a way to get more women to run for office. It hasn't worked out that way.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A first-in-the-nation bill would regulate loans made to small businesses by alternative lenders mostly found online.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Missouri's treasurer says 529 programs are only one piece of the college puzzle.

Finance

A recent document leak revealed that four states were targeted by a Panamanian law firm to hide assets.

Finance

A new federal rule could make it more expensive for governments to issue debt in a financial crisis.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Management & Labor

Most places focus on pensions for cost-cutting. But a new study argues it would be easier for governments to reduce the collective $1 trillion they owe in retiree health care.

Finance

Nowhere are the problems with pension funding more evident than in Kentucky, where the state lost millions because of the stock market. Lawmakers are now debating how to recover.

Finance

You’ve probably read about the Windy City’s money problems. But chances are they're worse than you thought, and a recent ruling didn't help.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A variation on the existing model would provide a money back guarantee should a project fail.

Finance

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Finance

Instead of divesting from oil companies, the nation's largest pension fund is trying to make all companies more environmentally friendly from within.

Finance

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Finance

The former businessman talks about betting his political career on fixing the Last Frontier’s finances.

Finance

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Politics & Elections

The group's top priority will be preserving the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds, which President Obama wants to reduce for higher earners.

Finance

Unlike other oil-dependent states, Louisiana has deeper financial issues that began nearly a decade ago after Hurricane Katrina. The legislature is meeting in special session to deal with them.

Finance

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Finance

Massachusetts, like many states, uses tax credits to attract companies. But also like many states, it struggles to track the effectiveness of these programs.

Finance

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Finance

States often adopt the same tax policies as the feds, but should they?

Finance

Procurement is at the heart of almost everything a government does. But states vary widely when it comes to how well they manage the things they buy.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Is a 30-year bond realistic when the economic lives of stadiums are proving to be much shorter?

Finance

The president's budget outlines ambitious spending proposals in health care and infrastructure -- though their likelihood of passing is slim.

Public Safety & Justice

Washington, D.C., may offer some people financial incentives to follow the law. It wouldn't be the first.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The states most dependent on oil tax revenues have different ways of dealing with the industry slowdown.

Finance

Chief financial officers used to be concerned with just balancing the books. But today’s CFOs have taken on a higher role.

Education

In Seattle, a new private library -- the first of its kind in a century -- is based on the throwback idea of having a quiet place to read.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Some states have millions in savings that they don't know when or how to use. A new report suggests ways to better manage their money.

Finance

With the worst-funded pension system in the country, Kentucky offers a glimpse of what could be in store for other states.

Finance

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Finance

Many places that initially struggled to bounce back from the recession are finally seeing progress, but more than 90 percent still haven't fully recovered.

Finance

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Finance

In several cities where pension reform has failed, this type of problem-solving has proved beneficial.

Finance

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Finance

The proposed changes would mark unprecedented federal authority over state and local pensions and make their financial status look a lot worse.

Finance

Over the past two decades, corporations have doubled their profits but contributed increasingly less to state revenues. Where is all the money going?

Politics & Elections

For three years, Jesse Ancira Jr. has juggled being a mayor and the top adviser to one of his state's most powerful politicians.

Finance

In cities across the country, the rise of taxicab alternatives like Uber aren't hurting just the taxicab companies.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The Federal Reserve is raising short-term interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade.

Finance

In 2016, states are expected to continue the growth they've experienced since the Great Recession. But the new era of growth is a modest one.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

California recently revealed that it paid billions in fees to private equity managers, leading several other state pension systems to call for more transparency in such investments.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Politics & Elections

But particularly in statewide executive office positions, which just 10 black women in nine states have ever held, according to a new report.

Finance

The effectiveness of subsidies is hard to measure. A new rule will make it easier, but there's still a lot of information that governments aren't required to share about business deals.

Finance

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Finance

States have increased their spending in every major area but two, according to a new NASBO report.

The Week in Public Finance

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Finance

Nonprofits have discovered a hidden cost in preventative social programs that's keeping many from even trying to start one.

Finance

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Finance

They almost always fail to foresee a recession before it happens. But there are ways they can improve their insights.

Elections

Instead of going into taxpayers' wallets, the revenue the state generated from legalizing pot will go to schools and substance abuse programs.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Many conservatives have long favored supply-side economics. But a new report suggests there is no evidence that income tax cuts lead to economic growth.

Elections

Ohio voters struck down a citizen-led measure that would have made it the first Midwestern state to legalize marijuana. But it won’t be the last time the issue makes it to the ballot.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert shares why he thinks his state is so competitive in today's tough financial climate.

Finance

Several states limit the topic of their legislative sessions every other year to money, and Louisiana voters rejected a ballot measure to add corporate giveaways to that conversation.

Finance

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Management & Labor

Denied by banks, small business owners are increasingly turning to alternative lenders for help. But many hide the real cost of doing business.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Desperate for more money, public pension systems have been making high-risk investments hoping for a higher profit. But they may ultimately cost taxpayers more.

Finance

Municipal finances look stable on paper, but cities still struggle with slow revenue growth and rising costs, according to a new report.

Finance

Louisiana voters approved a ballot measure to let local governments tax property in their borders that's owned by another government.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Many states have rainy day fund policies, but many don't have the right kind of policies. Wyoming is looking to change that.

Finance

The temptation to cut income taxes and raise sales taxes could leave some states less prepared for an economic downturn than they were for the Great Recession.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A new book explores if putting public assets under professional management leads to greater government wealth.

Finance

The Federal Reserve may rethink raising interest rates for the first time since 2008. But even if it does, it wouldn't be all bad news for governments.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Management & Labor

Politics and funding have often stymied the legislative push to pay employees forced to take time off to care for newborns or sick family members. But attitudes about work-life balance are shifting.

Management & Labor

Women make up nearly half of public-sector workers but just over 10 percent of city managers -- a rate that's barely budged in three decades.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A new study offers the best data to date on how much the tax exemption on municipal bonds, which are often used to finance sports stadiums, saves state and local governments.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Politics & Elections

Tennessee may join the handful of states that charge citizens for seeking public information from the government -- a practice that opponents say hinders transparency.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

In the past, changes to federal tax policy have led to a number of changes to state tax policies.

Finance

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Finance

What's shaping up to be a bad year for pension plans could give ammunition to politicians who want to change how they work and cut employee benefits.

Finance

A social policy experiment is spreading across the country as a new way to finance, deliver, and improve public services and problems. But its merits are so far unproven.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Before Detroit, many thought general obligation bonds were ironclad. Now they know better.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

As research shows how ill-prepared most working Americans are for retirement, pressure is mounting for states to step in.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Public Safety & Justice

After race riots in 2001, Cincinnati's path to police reform required years of dedication and patience. The hardest part was not turning police into scapegoats.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

With fiscal year 2015 coming to a close, more than a dozen states have yet to strike a budget deal.

Finance

Some credit ratings agencies actually want governments to call them so they can make their case when things go wrong.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A state Supreme Court ruling this week freed Gov. Chris Christie from having to fully fund public pensions.

Finance

A new report from the Volcker Alliance shows how states regularly get around balanced budget requirements with accounting gimmicks.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

As the economy shifts from one that relies on goods to one that relies on services, states are finding it hard to capture revenue from constantly evolving technologies like cloud computing.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Research and development may be one of the best ways to boost local economies, yet states (and the feds) have slowed spending on it.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The court deemed Maryland's local tax on out-of-state income unconstitutional, meaning municipalities will have to pay millions in tax refunds.

Finance

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Finance

Congress is looking into legislation that would make state and local data more accessible.

Finance

Courts struck down pension cuts twice in the last two weeks, setting the stage for potentially more drastic measures.

Urban

Instead of just turning its underused land into housing and retail like most cities, Denver is building a community that blends its Wild West roots with the 21st century.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Many hope a new nationwide proposal will finally stop payday lenders from keeping poor people stuck in a cycle of debt.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

States and localities are afraid to take on new debt these days, missing a golden opportunity to invest in infrastructure and other long-term projects.

Finance

Unlike mortgage and payday lenders, the growing number of institutions that offer quick cash to small businesses are still largely unregulated. Chicago is the first trying to change that.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Economists have a new idea that could revolutionize how struggling cities attract private funds.

Finance

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Finance

A new report examines the ways in which struggling cities mismanage federal grants and offers ideas for fixing it.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Health & Human Services

The winning idea of a public policy competition addresses a nationwide problem that makes many uncomfortable to discuss: menstruation and female hygiene.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Although scores of public and private groups support the proposal, many say the requirements don't go far enough.

Finance

America's Playground is running low on cash and faces key debt payments over the next three months.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Management & Labor

A Governing analysis shows how a new accounting rule dramatically changes some plans' pension liabilities and will likely force many states to finally face their obligations.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Timely disclosure of financial information could save states and localities a lot of money.

Finance

As another Marketplace Fairness Act hits the U.S. Senate, supporters are urging the House speaker -- one of the idea's biggest roadblocks -- to do whatever necessary to pass it through Congress.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Chicago is the latest example of the many local and state governments that are haunted by interest rate swap agreements they made before the Great Recession.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

One Ohio county is rolling in so much extra revenue that it's offering other counties low-interest loans for infrastructure projects.

Finance

The impact of oil's price drop depends on how much a local government relies on the oil industry for revenue and jobs.

Finance

Even though Kansas’ budget and credit have suffered since enacting massive tax cuts, governors in Maine and Ohio are still pushing similar plans.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, a possible presidential contender, wants more states to adopt a new measurement tool called "net present value plus."

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Municipalities' increasing reliance on bank deals, which governments can legally hide from investors for more than a year, has spurred calls for better transparency.

Finance

The president's budget would be a boon in a host of areas but also includes cuts to popular programs.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The Congressional Budget Office expects the economy to grow at an even slower rate than it has in the past.

Finance

America’s Playground recently had its credit rating downgraded to junk status, and the state is unwilling to take over its finances.

Finance

This week's roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Public Safety & Justice

The nation’s mayors released a report highlighting ways cities can rebuild the broken trust between police officers and citizens.

Infrastructure & Environment

In his State of the Union, the president proposed expanding a program that encourages state and local governments to pay for infrastructure projects with public-private partnerships.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

While budgets were more stable last year, several states still tapped into their reserves.

Finance

Congressman Chris Van Hollen unveiled a proposal to, among other things, incentivize saving, ease the cost of child care, and stabilize the growing income gap.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Thanks to changes in the market, bond ratings don’t mean what they used to.

Finance

Tight budgets, declining oil prices and pension scares are some key finance topics that state and local governments will face in 2015.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A look back at four of this year's trends in public finance.

Finance

Almost 40 percent of pension plans examined, even those that have been well-funded, have yet to reach their pre-recession peaks.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Politics & Elections

When it came to winning the public's approval, Washington, D.C.'s "Mayor for Life" knew that a little bit goes a long way.

Finance

With most of the new money going toward education and Medicaid and expected pushes for tax cuts from new Republican lawmakers, the competition for the limited leftovers remains fierce.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A new report shows federal spending accounts for nearly one-fifth of the nation's economic activity, but its impact varies wildly from state to state.

Finance

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Finance

Municipalities and banks are getting friendlier, and it's starting to irk credit rating agencies.

Finance

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Finance

Many cities that declare bankruptcy ultimately emerge from it in a year or two. But regaining the trust of their citizens is a long-term proposition.

Management & Labor

Many cities are partnering with nonprofits, but Detroit’s project may represent the best effort to create a vision for the future and provide the tools to make it a reality.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The justices heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could cause localities across the country to lose millions in annual tax revenue.

Finance

The recession may have ended in 2009, but a new report shows that declining revenues and state aid are keeping many big cities from recovering.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Elections

Oregon would have been the first state to set up an ongoing investment trust fund for higher education.

Elections

Floridians defeated a proposed constitutional change that would have let governors name a new judge once the retirement date of the outgoing judge is known.

Elections

The state, often a policy trendsetter, approved a ballot measure to institutionalize savings habits and harness the state’s notoriously wild revenue swings.

Elections

If Arizona successfully opts out of enforcing a federal law like Obamacare, some see other states following suit.

Elections

The bond referendum provides money for more space, better security and new high-tech gadgets.

Elections

Most states have at least considered banning foreign laws in their courts in recent years. Opponents say the controversial bans target Islam and are based on stereotypes.

Elections

The cap makes the state more competitive with its tax-friendlier neighbors, but states that have enacted similar restrictions on taxes encountered financial problems later.

Elections

The Ocean State is one of more than a dozen that periodically asks voters whether they want to hold another constitutional convention.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

It's the biggest effort yet to make government tax subsidies more transparent.

Finance

More than two years after it entered, the California city emerged from bankruptcy Thursday with its retirees and employees allowed to keep their pension benefits.

Elections

Opponents say the plan amounts to irresponsible spending while supporters call it a solution to overcrowded schools.

Finance

After more than 50 years in the accounting world, the Association of Government Accountants' CEO retires.

Elections

Voters in Rhode Island will decide whether to bypass the legislature and hold another state constitutional convention. Critics worry it would only serve special interests and threaten people's rights.

The Week in Public Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

American cities reported the most positive financial data since the 2008 financial crisis, but they still haven’t fully recovered from the recession.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

Over the last year, the credit agency upgraded 41 percent of local governments' ratings, drawing skepticism from some.

Elections

How judges are appointed, elected and forced to retire (if at all) are key themes in this year's ballot measures.

Elections

It's up to voters this November, but other states have enacted similar moves only to encounter financial problems later.

Latest News

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

A federal bankruptcy judge dealt a serious blow to California's public employee pension systems by ruling Wednesday that payments for future worker retirements can be reduced when a city declares bankruptcy -- just like its other debts.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Politics & Elections

When a North Carolina mayor walked 273 miles to Washington, D.C., this summer, he was just the latest in a long line of politicians to take an attention-seeking stroll.

Finance

A new federal rule opens the door to counting municipal bonds in bank assets.

Management & Labor

The GSA's Dan Tangherlini says government offices have to defy their reputation of being slow to change and inconvenient for the average working person.

Finance

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Elections

A sovereignty measure on Arizona's ballot this November will let voters decide whether or not the state can forgo enforcing certain federal laws like Obamacare.

Finance

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Finance

A new survey finds that pension funding levels across all states and major cities inched downward in 2013 and that cities are bearing a greater burden in their budgets than states.

Finance

Rich people and corporations who keep money in foreign tax havens cost states $39.8 billion in 2011. Jack Lew says its time to stop them.

Latest News

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Education

Gov. Jerry Brown is pushing a ballot measure he says will institutionalize fiscal responsibility and saving. The complicated amendment will be up to voters this fall.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Public Safety & Justice

New York's top judge is the brain behind many ideas that have upended the court system nationwide including legal aid for the poor, drug courts and foreclosure protections.

Politics & Elections

In what some call an effort to demonize the Islamic faith, all but 16 states have recently considered banning their courts from taking foreign, international or religious law into account.

Finance

Two new studies question federal funding formulas for public assistance. Are some states getting shortchanged?

Finance

U.S. cities traditionally develop relationships with foreign cities for diplomatic, cultural or educational purposes. But more and more are looking to them for economic development.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Management & Labor

A new survey offers insight into the reasons government employees are increasingly putting off retirement.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

The state would have been the fifth to put part of their lottery proceeds toward veterans programs.

Finance

Right now, the state's lottery proceeds exclusively go toward education. But voters could change that Tuesday.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A new report shows how states could have weathered the recession better.

Finance 101

Partially because of tax policies, state budgets have become increasingly unpredictable. But a few states are finding ways to manage the craziness.

Management & Labor

After years of underinvesting in IT, the state is seeking to transform from one of the worst to one of the best digitally run in the country.

Education

It's up to voters in November to decide whether the state will change the way it funds public college scholarships.

Education

New survey data shows the gap between policy wonks and finance geeks could be shrinking.

Finance

This week's roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Politics & Elections

As New York tries to lure Floridians up north, the Sunshine State's CFO wrote Gov. Andrew Cuomo to dispute New York's ad campaign claims.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

One analyst says the new way the credit rating agency scores local governments downplays the risk investors are taking and could encourage ratings shopping.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Some governments, particularly those with money problems, borrow to quickly pay down their pension obligations. But a new study shows it can leave them more financially vulnerable.

Education

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Credit markets view the move as a positive for the state but negative for municipalities.

Finance

A new rule about who can give governments financial advice went into effect, but how to apply it is far from resolved.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

Instead of trying to lure big companies with tax incentives, more and more places are trying to increase the number of local businesses to boost their economies.

Finance

In the past, pension funds have pulled their investments as a way of spurring change. But they’re changing their strategy when it comes to oil, coal and gas companies.

Finance

As the SEC steps up enforcement against states and municipalities, it's now investigating one suburban town for allegedly diverting at least $1.7 million in bond proceeds.

Finance

This week's roundup of money (and other) news that governments can use.

Finance

D.C. Water and Sewer Authority is contemplating being the nation's first public utility to issue a bond that's paid off over 100 years.

Education

Michigan is seeing its first major funding increase for higher education in more than a decade, and it's thanks in part to a plan by businesses to improve the state's workforce.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance

A new survey finds that 42 states plan on spending more next fiscal year than they did this fiscal year, but most increases will be relatively small.

Finance

The Kentucky Retirement System -- the worst-funded in the nation -- is appealing a ruling that allowed a nonprofit to leave the state with its unfunded pension liabilities.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Politics & Elections

A study finds that more corrupt states spend more money on construction, highways and police protections and less on health, education and other public services.

Education

This week's roundup of money (and other) news that governments can use.

Finance

The past decade has seen a resurgence of these boosterish bucks. But do they actually redirect spending to mom-and-pop shops instead of big box stores and online retailers?

Finance 101

There’s no sure-fire way to get fiscal policy right. But there are a few simple ways to get it disastrously wrong.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news that governments can use.

Education

Chicago's treasurer recently launched an initiative to make financial literacy a regular piece of the curriculum for grade schoolers.

Finance 101

A new self-reporting initiative creates a prisoner's dilemma between governments and underwriters.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance 101

A balanced budget isn’t always a healthy one.

Latest News

This week's roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

In the aftermath of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s racially derogatory comments, some are urging the team to move 30 miles south to Orange County.

Latest News

North Las Vegas could be the next city to risk bankruptcy if its current trends continue, a new report warns.

Latest News

This week's roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

A new S&P report ranks how states have recovered from the recession and warns some states about policies they're pursuing.

Latest News

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Public Safety & Justice

Ontario Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian’s ideas are the basis for what may be America’s next consumer privacy law. But her ideas have fierce critics.

Finance

Like the U.S., China will have to change how local officials think about public finance if it wants to stop its growing debt problems.

Latest News

A recent court ruling has spurred some states to decide whether college athletes can organize.

Latest News

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

Can southern Idaho become to food what Silicon Valley became for the tech industry?

Latest News

A new report says the state faces key questions in 2014 that could have a lasting impact on its financial future.

Latest News

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

The burden that all state and local taxes place on Americans has fallen after hitting a national high in 2010.

Latest News

A roundup of money (and other) news that governments can use.

Latest News

Property tax rules tying housing values to decades-old property assessments in Oregon are creating a skewed system that’s bleeding into sale prices in Portland, a new study has found.

Infrastructure & Environment

Boom times in oil and agriculture have brought new wealth to people in many rural counties. But the money in bank accounts isn't translating into more money for government.

Latest News

Detroit's plan of adjustment out of bankruptcy pays creditors pennies on the dollar, a move that could hurt its ability to borrow in the future.

Latest News

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Finance 101

A video explainer on the mechanics and players that make the $3.7 trillion municipal bond market work.

Latest News

Even though Obama proposes cuts, mayors are asking Congress not to touch Community Development Block Grant funding (which, unlike most federal funding, flows directly to cities).

Latest News

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

One Arizona mayor argues it makes more sense to fund cities and their suburbs as large metro areas, rather than as politically separate entities.

Latest News

As retiree health-care costs soar, maybe state and local governments would be wise to shift some of the burden to Uncle Sam, according to a new report.

Finance

A roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

This week's roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

Eight states make ex-lawmakers wait two years before they can become lobbyists, and New Mexico may join them.

Finance 101

Bankruptcy grabs the headlines, but distressed cities are a more widespread problem – one that few states know how to address.

Finance 101

What governments need to know about where they should go to seek financial advice.

Latest News

This week's roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

A Facebook page created to enlighten people about the mayor's "attack" on the public safety pension fund helped change the tone of the conversation and got some employees to actually support reform.

Latest News

After balancing Michigan's budget and creating sweeping tax reforms, John Nixon, a former POY, is taking a position at the University of Utah.

Latest News

This week's roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

This week's roundup of money (and other) news governments can use.

Latest News

It would be naive to say that politics is not part of Chief Financial Officers' job. But for them, the challenge is to prove that their allegiance is to the balance sheets.

Latest News

Bitcoin scored a win with a new ruling that keeps many of its users free from cumbersome federal regulations. But state and local governments can still regulate the virtual currency.

Finance

This week's roundup of money (and other) news that governments can use touches on retirement security, ridiculously cold weather, superdowngrades and more.

Latest News

Less than a year after the Boston Marathon bombing, in which social media and crowdsourcing proved instrumental to finding the suspects, this year’s Super Bowl security technology pools resources in a way that that uses data to paint the most comprehensive picture yet.

Finance

When the Jaguars played in London last year, the Florida city's mayor tagged along and used the trip to convince a top financial investment firm to open a new office in Jacksonville.

Latest News

The president signed an executive order Wednesday to offer retirement accounts to workers who don’t have access to them. The program will be watched closely by states contemplating similar solutions.

Finance 101

Crucial (and complicated) concepts in public money explained.

Finance 101

Over the last century, states have adopted the idea that pensions are a form of deferred compensation and, along with that change, has come certain protections.

Finance

In 2012, the federal government issued $5.2 billion in tax refunds to people who falsified their identity. Georgia found a way to keep that money out of scammers’ pockets.

Finance 101

Failure to understand financial outcomes is more dangerous to states and localities than ever, and there’s a big gap between what public leaders know about finance and what they need to know.

Finance 101

These buzzwords can instill fear and trepidation in even the most progressive and tech-savvy public officials, but open information really does improve how cities operate.

Finance

The Fitch Ratings agency has panned Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposal to save Detroit’s pension fund, calling it “troubling” for bondholders.

Finance

This week's roundup of money (and other) news that governments can use touches on the California drought, college sports and more.

Finance

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has spent this week on the defensive after he was quoted harshly criticizing Detroit in a controversial New Yorker article.

Latest News

This week's roundup of money (and other) news that governments can use touches on on the muni market rebound, California's grooviness and more.

Latest News

During this year's State of the States address, governors continued their push for more control over their economic futures.

Finance

A grassroots organization plans to give away abandoned houses to writers who agree to move to the bankrupt city and boost its arts community and economy. So far, it's not costing the city a dime.

Finance

After years of declining revenue, the money began slowly tricking back in for states and localities in 2013. But there still was still a huge mess left to clean up.

Politics & Elections

Plus six trending issues that could be big this year.

Finance

States with no income tax could see reduced consumer spending in 2014 if a federal tax deduction is allowed to expire.

Finance

One provision of the finalized Volcker Rule could cause headaches for states and localities that issue bonds.

Finance

A dispute this fall between the city of Bakersfield and Kern County in California over animal shelter costs shows just how inter-local agreements can easily fall apart without proper nurturing.

Finance

With every municipal bankruptcy, there usually comes the chorus of warnings that more cities will join.

Finance

If passed, the two-year budget deal would shift planned spending cuts and alleviate some of the funding uncertainties that have plagued state and local governments.

Latest News

As the virtual currency climbs in popularity and value, state regulators would be wise to start figuring out a way to make it safe and user-friendly in their borders, experts say.

Finance

Illinois’ status as the lowest-rated U.S. state won’t necessarily improve now that lawmakers have passed a measure to overhaul the state’s underfunded pensions.

Latest News

Public pensions were dealt a historic blow Tuesday when a Detroit bankruptcy judge sided with the city in ruling that entitlements could be subject to cuts in municipalities under Chapter 9 protection.

Governing: State and local government news and analysis

The pension system is not to blame for Detroit’s woes – but Detroit's risky investments to prop up the pension system sure didn't help.

Finance

A meager growth environment could have issuers tapering their borrowing, but local governments are still expected to be a stable investment.

Finance

As the nation’s governors and their staffs are knee-deep in numbers, policies and late nights, there's one certainty this budget-writing season: Don’t count on anything.

FedWatch

There’s a proposal in Congress that opponents say would create headaches for public pension managers and could make it harder to finance infrastructure development.

Latest News

As agencies revamp their criteria, seemingly conflicting actions have some scratching their heads.

Latest News

In contrast to other cities, Baltimore has increased its savings while lowering the property tax rate. But Baltimore's budgeting style is a hard sell.

Latest News

Texas voters have approved a measure that makes it easier for older homeowners to downsize their homes without getting hit twice on closing costs.

Management & Labor

Are the bad vibes at the federal level encouraging more interest at the lower levels – or is it bad advertising all around for the public sector?

Latest News

Texas is the only state that doesn't allow reverse mortgages for the purchase of a home.

Latest News

Agencies were quick to process claims during the shutdown, but the way states are going about getting that money back from federal employees could be a lengthy one.

View

What may seem like a mathematical quibble has ballooned into an all-out war between two ends of the spectrum with no clear end in sight.

View

Retiree health benefits, commonly treated by governments as malleable when times are tough, may be harder to slash if a recent California court ruling holds.

FedWatch

If Congress doesn't raise the debt ceiling later this month, state and local programs could experience massive spending cuts. But the impact depends on a number of factors, experts say.

Politics & Elections

As finances grow tighter and pension liabilities stay in the spotlight, treasurers in several states have been clashing with their peers about how best to manage the money.

View

In an effort to avoid reporting mandates from the SEC, states are being urged to voluntarily disclose information about their finances in a more formalized way.

View

Moody's proposes making pension liabilities a bigger factor in bond ratings, which may lead cities to make better financial decisions.

View

We trust our public employees with taxpayers’ dollars, public resources and essential services -- but does any of that mean they’ll make the right choice for their own retirement?

View

As services take over the economy, the traditional sales tax has become less helpful to state revenues. Despite several states' failed attempts to tax services, Massachusetts is trying it again.

View

Detroit's bankruptcy rattled the muni bond market when El Paso needed it most.

View

The ruling, which makes San Bernardino the third California city to get bankruptcy protection, could serve as a guide for other cities like Detroit that are in financial distress. Observers also say it's an important test for Chapter 9.

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Hit by tornadoes and earthquakes, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Greensburg, Kan.; and San Francisco all learned how to turn local tragedy into a new and vibrant vision.

State News

Gov. Mark Dayton said he supports repealing a new farm equipment tax during a brief special session next month that he previously insisted would be limited to storm relief.

Infrastructure & Environment

Hit by tornadoes and earthquakes, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Greensburg, Kan.; and San Francisco all learned how to turn local tragedy into a new and vibrant vision. Their lessons are a playbook for local officials dealing with disasters.

View

The District's Chief Financial Officer, who's known as "Dr. No," will retire in July.

Finance

New leaders at both the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board may have big changes in store for the municipal bond market and its issuers.

Finance

Pennsylvania's capital, which is under receivership after nearly going bankrupt, is the second municipality or state to get charged with securities fraud this year.

State News

Preliminary tax data from the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government for 45 states shows revenues are up nearly 13 percent from last year.

View

Low-income people need more than a steady paycheck to achieve financial stability. They also need help gaining access to traditional banking and credit services -- something 28 percent of Americans lack.

View

Ditching dollars for gold has become a popular notion among some conservative leaders and pundits (perhaps most notably Glenn Beck) in recent years.

View

The rising cost of health care for retirees may force states and localities to make wholesale changes to their pension health plans.

View

Faced with growing pension gaps, states and localities in recent years have reacted with sweeping reforms.

State News

Moody’s Investors Service announced its highly anticipated new ratings rules, which could result in downgrades for dozens of cities and school districts.

State News

Kentucky’s pension reform signed into law this month marks a positive step but should not be heralded as a cure-all to the state’s massive underfunding problem, a major ratings agency said Friday.

State News

President Obama's fiscal plan for 2014 contains a mix of tax increases and breaks that some are concerned could mean increased costs for states and localities.

State News

New York’s new law to allow some cities to defer pension payments would increase their unfunded pension liabilities and could hurt their credit outlook.

Finance

Cities coming out of the recession are facing new challenges with matching their workforce to available jobs, a problem that could be an early indicator of a growing national problem.

State News

RBC municipal analyst Chris Mauro warns that the boost at the end of 2012 was an anomaly driven by a rush to cash in on capital gains and other income in anticipation of new tax increases in 2013.

View

Some say the ruling in Stockton, Calif.'s case could lead to a U.S. Supreme Court decision on how bankrupt cities deal with their pension liabilities.

Finance

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear calls its pension reform “a good solution to a thorny problem." But the state’s local governments are far less impressed.

Finance

Most states and many municipalities have passed some kind of pension reform in recent years, but only a few did so in a way that addresses the immediate unfunded liability of their plans. Plus: Has pension reform gone too far?

View

In the world of public finance, a long-running debate over what’s included in state and local financial statements is reaching new heights.

State News

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has temporarily shuttered the $510,000-a-year lieutenant governor's office in an effort to save money.

State News

House lawmakers in Illinois have passed the first step toward significant reform of the state's woefully underfunded pension system, but the controversial move would limit cost-of-living increases.

View

Last week, Illinois was only the second state to ever be accused of securities fraud -- but it may not be the last. The SEC's head of municipal securities wants to increase its enforcement.

State News

Congressional lawmakers are skeptical of some specialty tax-free bonds but largely spoke in support of maintaining the tax-exempt status of the municipal bonds localities and states issue to fund infrastructure projects.

View

In the wake of the recession -- and after witnessing London’s $14 billion price tag -- few cities are jumping at the chance to host the 2024 Olympic Games.

State News

Segregated minority and poor populations foster municipal distress, according to the former receiver for the city of Harrisburg, Pa.

State News

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week will look at the impact of tax exemptions and deductions on states and localities.

State News

A major ratings agency cast doubt over New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed 2014 budget this week, saying that the Republican’s forecasts were too ambitious and relied on “new and untested revenues” to balance the ledger.

View

As urban revival pushes more lower-income earners to the suburbs, many are struggling to provide services and redefine their identity.

State News

Illinois is only the second state to ever be accused of securities fraud. According to the SEC, the state misled investors about its underfunded pension system.

View

As pension reform debates continue, retiree advocates offer up a few common misconceptions about pensioners.

State News

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.

State News

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.

FedWatch

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?

Finance