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Girard Miller

Girard Miller

Finance Columnist

Girard Miller is the finance columnist for Governing. He is a retired investment and public finance professional and the author of Enlightened Public Finance (2019).  Miller brings 30 years of experience in public finance and investments as a former GASB board member and ICMA Retirement Corp. president.

He can be reached at millergirard@yahoo.com. 

E,Car,At,Charging,Station,In,Front,Of,A,Rural
The Future of Finance
Finding the Funding for Rural Outposts in America’s EV Grid
To accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, every burg along our “blue highways” is going to need a place for motorists to plug in. For states, that means tax credits, matching grants or similar incentives. But we’re not talking big money.
November 23, 2021
 · Girard Miller
A,Table,With,The,Figures,Of,Revenue,And,Expenditure.,Photo
The Future of Finance
Raccoons in the Driveway: the Temptation of the Rainy Day Fund
The COVID recession and its fiscal aftermath should remind politicians, advocates and labor that budget reserves are not piggybanks for new discretionary spending. Economic cycles have not been repealed.
November 9, 2021
 · Girard Miller
Double,Exposure,Of,City,And,Pen,,Calculator,,,Money,,
The Future of Finance
Will Muni Bonds Get a Big Boost from Capitol Hill?
Pending municipal finance provisions in the big spending bills before Congress could benefit issuers, investors and taxpayers. To get the best deal, state and local leaders must press their case immediately.
October 26, 2021
 · Girard Miller
Money,Bills,3d,Illustration,Isolated,On,White,Background
The Future of Finance
Public Cash Managers, Prepare for Interest Rate Liftoff
Going into next year, the Fed is likely to throttle back policies that have kept rates near zero. That presents opportunities — and risks. Nobody wants to repeat the local government fiscal disasters of not so long ago.
October 12, 2021
 · Girard Miller
Vintage,Treasure,Hunting,Concept,With,Coins,And,Compass,,For,Business
The Future of Finance
The Online Maps Localities Need for the Big Federal Treasure Hunt
With billions in grants about to start flowing from Washington, they will need comprehensive, timely information on what’s available. They shouldn’t have to wait for the feds to supply it.
September 28, 2021
 · Girard Miller
Congress,Spending,And,Wasting,Your,Money.
The Future of Finance
States and the Fiscal Experiment Flowing from Washington
Despite predictions that COVID-19 would crush state tax revenues, most of them didn’t need megabillions in pandemic aid to balance their budgets. But for the most part they seem to be spending the money wisely.
September 14, 2021
 · Girard Miller
Us,Treasury,Concept,Check,To,Illustrate,Coronavirus,Stimulus,Payment,On
The Future of Finance
Can the Idea of a Universal Basic Income Really Fly?
Local governments lack the tax base for meaningful income redistribution programs, and they risk losing residents to lower-tax jurisdictions. The economics suggest that it’s a job for higher levels of government.
August 31, 2021
 · Girard Miller
US-NEWS-MARYLAND-CHILD-CARE-PROVIDERS-SAY-BZ.jpg
The Future of Finance
Is Child Care a Key to Building the Public Workforce?
Labor market shortages and private-sector competition compel states and localities to get creative. Removing a major impediment to filling vacant jobs seems worth a look.
August 17, 2021
 · Girard Miller
US-NEWS-FLA-CONDOS-LOOPHOLE-FL
The Future of Finance
A Municipal Finance Tool to Avert Another Deadly Condo Collapse
Local governments could turn to special assessment districts to cost-effectively assure safety improvements, bypassing occupants’ foot-dragging and dysfunctional homeowners’ associations.
August 3, 2021
 · Girard Miller
Former police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd.
The Future of Finance
Carrot-and-Stick Solutions to Police Immunity and Municipal Liability
Congress should rewrite the ground rules to minimize nuisance lawsuits that can cost local taxpayers millions, while focusing civil courts on bad cops and blind-eye departments.
July 20, 2021
 · Girard Miller
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