Politics

Oregon’s recent decision to bankroll a potential Major League Baseball team through an $800 million bond raises profound questions about priorities and practicality. Governor Tina Kotek’s endorsement of Senate Bill 110, which imposes new taxes on athletes and team employees, is heralded by supporters as a bold investment in Portland’s future. Yet, beneath the excitement

Kansas lawmakers are doubling down on a costly gamble: extending deadlines and expanding bond programs to coax the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals across the state line from Missouri. This push, far from being a mere economic catalyst, reveals a troubling pattern in state politics—where public funds are funneled into corporate sports franchises under the

In what could be characterized as a desperate attempt to placate disheartened GOP senators, a proposed $15 billion relief fund for rural hospitals has emerged as part of a contentious tax and spending bill. While the intentions may appear noble, this initiative lacks the strategic foresight necessary to address the underlying issues plaguing the rural

The budget reconciliation process, once hailed as a pragmatic means to address fiscal issues, is now marred by obstacles stemming from the Byrd Rule. Named after the late Senator Robert Byrd, this arcane rule seems to hold significant sway over what can and cannot be included in reconciliation bills. As mentioned by Leslie Powell of

New York City is at a critical juncture, grappling with a spiraling housing crisis exacerbated by rising costs and diminishing availability of rentals. Enter Zohran Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, who has proposed an audacious plan intended to tackle the affordability problem through monumental borrowing. His proposal to borrow an additional

Oregon is facing a colossal decision as a state transportation bill, HB 2025, passes through the legislative process. With a staggering price tag of $14.6 billion in tax and fee increases over the next decade, the potential fallout from this initiative could have lasting effects on both the state’s infrastructure and its citizens’ wallets. Proponents

As we approach the pivotal moments that will shape the future of the United States economy, the continued speculation surrounding President Trump’s selection of a new chair for the Federal Reserve is increasingly rife with complexity. Despite the controversial nature of Trump’s presidency, many are eagerly anticipating his eventual pick to replace Jerome Powell, with

In a time when fiscal prudence is more crucial than ever, Florida’s recently approved budget of $115.1 billion reflects a troubling compromise. While minimizing tax cuts and tackling state debt ought to be applauded, the underlying political maneuvers and fiscal strategies leave much to be desired. The budget has undergone a series of modifications from

The proposed cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) bring with them a disturbing set of implications for municipalities that lean heavily on federal resources to recover from natural disasters. Recent reports from S&P Global Ratings and commentary from Tom Kozlik, a prominent figure in municipal strategy, suggest a dismal outlook for local governments,

When it comes to transformative public projects, California’s high-speed rail (HSR) epitomizes both ambition and controversy. Once envisioned as a leap towards modernizing transportation within the state, it has experienced the kind of turbulence that would make any project manager wince. Particularly under scrutiny from the Trump administration, the HSR authority continues to face numerous