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,
Politics
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
When discussing the complex relationship between Native American tribes and the federal government, one is immediately confronted with a historical narrative fraught with injustice and neglect. The recently reintroduced Tribal Tax and Investment Reform Act aims to amend this persistent imbalance, revealing how tax code disparities have hindered the economic autonomy of tribal nations. This
In the convoluted landscape of U.S. taxation, the current vacuum in leadership at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) looms large. The National Association of Bond Lawyers (NABL) has recently chosen to voice its concerns, highlighting not just their frustrations but also solid recommendations for the agency still operating under the weight of transitional leadership. Without
In a move that underscores the precarious balance between fiscal responsibility and political ambition, a Louisiana Senate committee recently opted to shelve proposed tax cuts that would have reduced state revenues by an alarming $500 million annually. This decision can be seen as a significant moment in safeguarding Louisiana’s precarious financial health, particularly as the
The recent news about BlackRock Inc.’s removal from Texas’ blacklist—a three-year freeze rooted in the firm’s environmental stance—is more than just a corporate maneuver; it is a significant political development that reflects the realignment of interests in the face of an evolving energy landscape. With revenues exceeding $10 trillion in assets under management, BlackRock’s influence
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) aims to reshape the fiscal landscape of the United States, yet its approach displays an unsettling disconnect with the reality most Americans face. With a specific focus on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, the House version of this legislation proposes raising the cap from a mere
After two years of what many hoped would be a transformative partnership, the University of Idaho (UI) has decided to terminate its acquisition talks with the online University of Phoenix. Initially, the agreement seemed promising; it was set to enhance educational offerings for both institutions, particularly in expanding UI’s reach to adult learners and enhancing
In the current landscape of American infrastructure, a perilous misconception persists—that public funding is the only viable solution to our infrastructural challenges. This notion rests on the flawed assumption that our public sector can sufficiently finance projects critical to our economy. However, when we consider the magnitude of the U.S. infrastructure deficit—an astonishing $3.7 trillion—it
The three illustrious West Coast states—California, Oregon, and Washington—find themselves grappling with a financial upheaval that has shaken their budgetary foundations. As they navigate through the challenging fiscal season of 2026, a staggering shift from surplus to deficits has become the grim reality. California’s Governor Gavin Newsom recently dubbed this phenomenon the “Trump slump,” a