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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. 

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
Rows of houses in a suburb.
The Future of Finance
How Will Property Taxes Fare in a Surging Housing Market?
State laws and local practices vary widely, so the impact on budgets will defy generalizations. But it’s unlikely that rising revenues will uniformly cover impending growth in municipal costs.
July 6, 2021
 · Girard Miller
BIZ-RANSOMWARE-LOCAL-GOVERNMENTS-DMT
The Future of Finance
The Digital Infrastructure We Need — and How to Pay for It
State and local leaders should prod Washington for the funding that can close the digital divide, protect utilities from cyber criminals, build smart cities and shape incentives for high-tech manufacturing.
June 22, 2021
 · Girard Miller
Biden's charging plan could sell 25 million EVs
The Future of Finance
Finding the Revenues to Pay for Infrastructure
The warring camps in Washington are unlikely to find a middle ground on their own. Governors and mayors need to take a seat at the adult tax-policy table.
June 8, 2021
 · Girard Miller
Cars for Sale in Alaska, circa 2000s [DO NOT REUSE]
The Future of Finance
Do State and Local Governments Need to Worry About Inflation?
Much depends on their tax structures, particularly if Prop. 13-style tax caps are in place. But inflation-driven pressure for wage increases could squeeze budgets and crush pension funds.
May 25, 2021
 · Girard Miller
FOOD-HOMECOOKING-FIRES-MS
The Future of Finance
The State and Local Stake in the Coming Health-Care Debate
While Washington politicians argue over the latest White House proposals, governors and local leaders should promote achievable federal plans that would reduce their costs of funding health care.
May 11, 2021
 · Girard Miller
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