The patchwork of local laws on lighting up can be confusing.

Chicago is bringing municipal bonds to the masses.

Few Gulf Coast issuers have reneged on outstanding bonds since hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravaged the area. But concern about their ability to continue to make payments is growing.

Happy days are here again for tax collectors. The ongoing Streamlined Sales Tax Project went live in October, with 150 small to large Internet retailers signing up that month. With the backup of third- party service providers, they will collect sales taxes on online purchases in the 18 states that participated in the streamlining effort.

Policy wonks are having a field day with creative ideas to rebuild the Gulf Coast. But action is likely to be the same old-same old.