Finance
Managing public finance has become a demanding aspect of state and local government, especially as economic health fluctuates and outside forces create revenue instability. Articles on taxes, budgets, pensions and bonds help to bring insight to finance management at the state and local level.
Are vehicles like private equity, crypto and real estate a good fit for 401(k)-style public retirement plans — or too risky for savers? Marketers will soon be pitching these “alternative investments” to public employers. Prudence dictates caution.
The Trump administration fears that more federal fiscal aid would be a disincentive for state political leaders to reopen their economies. But they're as eager as anyone to get people back to work.
In suggesting that it should be allowed, the Senate majority leader is conflating COVID-19 budgetary emergencies with historical public-pension deficits. They have nothing to do with each other.
Like many U.S. cities, Vancouver expects to lose at least $30 million during the coronavirus shutdown, but is also making plans to shoulder even greater loss. “We don’t yet know what, truly, the final impact will be.”
The governors are calling for a quick $500 billion to offset plummeting tax revenues. But we don't know how long a pandemic recession will last or how deep it will be. We should be guided by hard data.
Though Georgia has a large financial reserve, it relies on income and sales taxes to provide the salaries for many of its state workers. Some predict the state could see a $1.27 billion loss in sales tax revenue.
Corporations are also receiving financial aid from the coronavirus stimulus package, but their refunds are much greater than for families. It could end up costing the federal budget $275 billion over the next decade.
California said it secured 200 million masks per month, but the Newsom administration won’t pay until there is assurance that the masks are coming. In total, the state plans to spend $7 billion on coronavirus response.
Colleges and universities face a worse situation than the Great Recession. States are bound to cut their budgets, while every other revenue source — tuition, dorm fees, donations, endowments — are under pressure.
Schenectady, N.Y., is several millions short of completing its Smart City work that was planned for this year. Officials are hesitant to move forward with the plans in the midst of the coronavirus’ financial crisis.
While overall sales are down, grocery sales might have increased, which would be good for the city’s revenue. While officials expect some declines, overall they are optimistic about the strength of the financial reserves.
Many state, local governments must adjust their budgets as the coronavirus pandemic has choked off much of their revenue streams. Budgets in larger communities will likely rebound faster, but smaller ones will feel the impact for months to come.
As Congress considers further financial help for victims of the coronavirus pandemic, the magnitude of the fiscal crisis that governors and their states will have to face is just starting to emerge.
Spending vast amounts on a crash program now won't help those who've lost their livelihoods to the coronavirus pandemic. We need to take the time for sensible planning to do it right.
Ann Arbor’s virtual city council meeting discussed concerns about spending money on large city projects with an uncertain economic future. “I don’t want to see us putting good money on top of a dumpster fire.”
Federal fiscal assistance could avert budget-balancing cutbacks at the state and municipal level as the coronavirus devastates the economy. Here are some of the strategies and policies that are likely to be — or ought to be — considered.
The revenue drop from COVID-19 is barely starting to show up in official figures, but already furloughs and major shortfalls are common in state and local governments around the country. The pain may be sudden, but it could last for years.
Four of Ohio’s cities are dependent on income taxes. With thousands now unemployed, the coronavirus’s financial toll continues to mount. “Who knows how long this is going to last, but the effect will be felt immediately.”
A short-term federal forgivable-loan program for property owners whose tenants can't pay their rent during the pandemic would protect badly needed state and local revenues.
Delaying fast-approaching property-tax deadlines would help Americans facing economic stress, and it wouldn't be that costly for local governments.
Plus, drafting a fourth stimulus bill before the $2 trillion package is sorted out, considering recession scenarios, state positioning as economy shudders, and credit ratings could be more vulnerable than budgets.
The $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. So what does it mean for cities and residents? “The challenge is unprecedented, so the stimulus must also be unprecedented.”
Tennessee has created a statewide program that will give cities and counties $200 million to offset the economic damage by the coronavirus. But the relief fund isn’t available until the new fiscal year begins on July 1.
State legislators are now revising their previous prediction, saying the state budget could be short up to $2 billion. New Mexico has been hit extra hard as oil and gas prices have dropped, which the state relies on for revenue.
The Public Service Commission has awarded grants to 44 companies, municipal and tribal governments to help expand Internet access to rural parts of the state. The grants hope to help more than 46,000 homes.
No one knows how deep or long the pandemic-triggered recession will be. But nearly every type of government revenue, including income, sales and gas taxes, will take a hit. Well-funded rainy-day funds should help.
Plus, U.S. now logs 100 cases across all 50 states, IMF lays out three-part global strategy, Muni bonds hit hard by coronavirus, and other budget effects.
In attempts to bring economic relief to the nation, President Trump has proposed a stimulus package of $850 billion that would include tax cuts and loan expansions for small businesses.
The American Association of Retired Persons will suspend all tax prep activities in the United States, including several in Oregon. The suspension will likely last through the remaining tax season.
California lawmakers have set aside up to $1.1 billion for health care, homelessness services and schools to try to help protect the state from the costs of the coronavirus. The bill passed both houses unanimously.
Iowa’s Secretary of State wants a final check of the state’s election systems before the November vote. While the state has a very strong elections foundation, “We need to bolster our cybermaturity.”
