Taxes
Covering topics such as bonds, cryptocurrency, federal aid and pensions.
States are spending a lot of their federal TANF money on things that don’t help families that need it the most, and work reporting requirements keep too many families from accessing benefits.
The Census count led to the state redrawing congressional and state legislative districts, and the loss of a congressional representative. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan argues that systemic racism led to an undercount.
Small businesses and those owned by women and people of color don’t receive a fair share of government contracting. With infrastructure money flowing, now is the time for public agencies to take a pledge to improve procurement practices.
Several other states are offering residents some form of tax relief to help deal with the financial strains of inflation, but Alabama has nothing planned and the Legislature doesn’t reconvene until March.
Counties regularly take the Social Security benefits of foster youth who are disabled or whose parents have died. Advocates say it amounts to children paying for their own foster care.
At least 16 states have opted out of receiving millions in pandemic food aid while more than 18 million Americans didn’t always have enough to eat last month.
Staff shortages and a rush to distribute funds generated confusion and mistakes, resulting in unemployment benefit overpayments to thousands of Alabamians. Now, the state wants its money back.
They disproportionately impact low-income residents. “Segmenting” them — setting prices based on ability to pay — can improve lives while actually increasing local-government revenues.
It’s just as important when revenues are robust as it is in tough fiscal times to base spending decisions on what works. Here’s how to get started.
State and local finance teams need game plans for two divergent outcomes of the Federal Reserve’s efforts to wring inflation out of the economy: a soft-landing slowdown or a more severe downturn.
Most of the remaining funds have been earmarked by cities, townships and counties for community projects to address broadband access, housing, workforce development and other needs. But some worry about the debt repayment.
New funding is providing unparalleled opportunities to invest in climate resilience by building natural infrastructure to protect vulnerable communities.
A new law requires the state’s pension system to divest from fossil fuel companies, but making that happen while considering a constitutional requirement to pension members will complicate the process.
Gov. Ned Lamont announced that six more express trains would be added to the New Haven line and seven new weekday trains to the Waterbury branch. The additions come as $5 billion in federal infrastructure funds are headed to the state.
County Executive Ryan McMahon has suggested that the surplus, which has grown to nearly three times the normal reserve, be used to double the New York county’s rainy day fund. But the plan would leave little for spending elsewhere.
Purchasing cyber defenses, training and insurance are budgeting decisions — and financial officers need number-driven risk models that show them how far each investment may go toward reducing risks of financial losses from cyber incidents.
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