Houston’s latest attempt to fund a monumental $719.5 million debt issuance under the guise of boosting its airport infrastructure reveals more than just strategic planning—it exposes a troubling optimism that borders on fantasy. As a center-right advocate valuing fiscal prudence and responsible government spending, I see this move as a reckless gamble. Municipalities often tout
Bonds
New York’s recent entry into the prepay energy bond market appears, on the surface, to be a commendable stride toward financial ingenuity. The state’s power authority finally issued its debut deal after a grueling two-year preparatory period, promising cost savings and climate-friendly progress. Yet, beneath this veneer of innovation lies a series of fundamental weaknesses
The municipal bond market, long perceived as a safe haven for conservative investors, is currently teetering on the edge of a perilous transition. For decades, munis have maintained a reputation for stability, tax advantages, and reliable income streams. However, recent market indicators reveal a disturbing divergence: while other fixed-income assets continue their upward trajectory, munis
Utah’s largest public school district, Alpine, is orchestrating a significant restructuring that may quietly undermine its fiscal integrity. The impending split into three separate entities—central, west, and south—echoes a trend of decentralization that promises personalization but risks compartmentalizing resources and creating disparities. While proponents tout local control and tailored education, this transition heralds complex financial
For over a decade and a half, the municipal bond market has hovered near a threshold of $4 trillion, an ostensibly stable benchmark that many investors and policymakers have grown accustomed to. Yet, beneath this veneer of consistency lies an unsettling acceleration—one that threatens to upend the very foundation of municipal finance. Recent figures reveal
The recent approval of over half a billion dollars in municipal bonds by North Carolina’s Local Government Commission appears to signal an optimistic trajectory for urban infrastructure and healthcare expansion. However, beneath this veneer of growth lies a complex web of financial risks and questionable priorities. While cities like Charlotte are borrowing heavily to fund
The first half of 2025 has shattered previous records in municipal bond issuance, revealing a market that appears robust and resilient—yet beneath the surface, ominous signs of overextension and vulnerability lurk. The astonishing surge, with issuance soaring to over $280 billion—up 14.3% from last year—may seem like a testament to investor confidence, but it also
Municipal bonds—long celebrated as a bastion of safety for conservative investors—have recently projected a veneer of calm and resilience that might be dangerously misleading. While muni yields experienced slight upticks early in the week and Treasury yields declined modestly, the broader picture reveals a marketplace resting on tenuous technical conditions rather than robust fundamentals. The
The municipal bond market is often hailed as a bastion of stability for conservative investors, boasting tax-exempt yields and traditionally steady returns. However, a deeper dive into recent data reveals a less comforting truth: the muni market is grappling with substantial headwinds, posing a risk that many complacent investors overlook in the current climate of
In the quiet corridors of municipal finance, the municipal bond market continues to display an unexpected potency that warrants vigilant attention. While many deride municipal bonds as stagnant relics of a bygone era, recent trends reveal a more nuanced reality. The recent performance data shows municipalities showing signs of resilience amidst broader economic volatility, suggesting