New & NoteworthyNew Municipal Web Sites, Features, Trends and Recent Discoveries
Rising Student-Teacher Ratio: Not Necessarily a Simple Equation
Student-teacher ratios across the U.S. are on the rise, as more public schools are forced to “do more with less” - but the equation is not as simple as it may first appear… Continue
U.S. Immigration Trends: Numbers Continue to Rise
The U.S. population is expected to double this century due to record immigration.… Continue
Florida Municipal Loan Council Launches Investor Relations Portal
The FMLC provides increased transparency through its recently released Investor Relations page, which includes official statements for bonds issued as far back as 2002, as well as the most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports for the Council and its 57 government borrowers.… Continue
Texas Ranks as Top State for Doing Business - Again!
Corporate executives like doing business in Texas, which offers a business-friendly tax structure, regulatory environment and high quality workforce… Continue
States’ Increase in Tax Collections Buoys Optimism
State tax collections improve in 2011, but full economic recovery remains years away for many states… Continue
Book Review: The Encyclopedia of Municipal Bonds
Joe Mysak, a columnist/author whose name is well known in the municipal bond industry, has achieved the near-impossible: He has written a comprehensive, informative reference book that is, at the same time, an enjoyable read.… Continue
Reflections from the Editor: Guiding the Municipal-Minded through the Internet Evolution
MuniNet Guide celebrates 15 years of guiding users to online resources related to state and local government, municipal bond issuers, public finance and U.S. demographics… Continue
The Fork in the Road: How a Local Government’s Approach to Fiscal Distress Can Determine Its Financial Future
Stockton, California may be the fiscally distressed municipality du jour, but it is certainly not alone in its financial struggles. What steps can a fiscally distressed local government take to avert financial crisis?… Continue
MuniNet Medley: 3/8/12 - MSRB Fact Book, Suffolk Co., Earnings and Education, Fenway Park
MSRB releases 2011 Fact Book, Suffolk County declares fiscal emergency, Report examines impact of educational attainment on earnings, Fenway Park hits a home run into National Register of Historic Places… Continue
National Mortgage Settlement Hints at a Solution for States
Could the National Mortgage Settlement serve as a template for the recapitalization of the U.S. mortgage market?… Continue
Top Five Themes in 2012 State of the State Addresses
You guessed it: Job Growth tops the list of themes mentioned in this year’s State of the State speeches. Read on to find out the other themes that round out the top five.… Continue
Help Wanted in South Dakota
South Dakota seeks to narrow its employment gap with a statewide workforce development initiative: South Dakota Wins… Continue
The Rise, Fall, and Future of Not-for-Profit Hospital Debt Issuance
Debt issuance in the not-for-profit hospital sector continued its decline in 2011; will the trend continue in 2012?… Continue
MuniNet Medley: 2/8/12 - Harrisburg, Port Authority of NY & NJ, Texas Metros, School Finance
Harrisburg’s on-again, off-again bankruptcy back on the radar ..... Harsh feedback for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey ..... Texas metro areas fare well in rankings .... brighter future for K-12 education funding?… Continue
MuniNet Medley: 2/1/12 - Unemployment Trends, Tracking Health Care Reform, Best Cities for Hospitals, Hard-Hit Cities
Unemployment highs and lows ..... Need help tracking health care reform legislation? ..... Best cities for hospitals ..... Pulltabs could be the key to new Vikings stadium ..... Cities hardest hit by recession… Continue
Illinois Tollway Drivers Help Finance Roadway Improvements
The Illinois Tollway’s $12 billion capital improvement plan aims to create a state-of-the-art 21st century highway system; drivers chip in to pay the costs… Continue
MuniNet Medley: 1/23/12 - Louisville Performance Improvement, Harrisburg’s New Treasurer, Premont Cuts Sports, Rochester & Kodak
Louisville aims to improve government performance with private-sector strategies ..... Harrisburg voters elect new (young) city treasurer ..... Premont ISD cuts sports to save school ..... Kodak moments or memories in Rochester… Continue
Cities May Face Long Road to Recovery
Last year brought little economic relief to the majority of U.S. metro areas, although forecasts for 2012 are more promising, according to a U.S. Conference of Mayors report.… Continue
MuniNet Medley: 1/12/12 - MSRB Outreach, Inflation Indictors, Housing Wealth and College, Foreclosure Trends
MSRB plans outreach and education events ..... Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta monitors inflation .....How the housing boom and bust impact college choices ..... Are foreclosures on the decline? (Which cities still have highest foreclosure rates?)… Continue
Austin’s Municipal Website Redesign Surpasses “Impressive”
Austin’s recently redesigned website, even in beta form, is state-of-the-art, and should be noted by any municipality considering an upgrade of its website.… Continue
MuniNet Medley: 1/5/12 - Golden Gate Bridge, Chicago Shovels, Job Concerns, East Orange Recovery
Golden Gate Bridge spans 79 years in history ..... Chicago takes proactive approach to snow removal ..... Communities in the Northeast - and residents across the nation - express concern over jobs ..... East Orange released from state oversight… Continue
Unemployment Rates Drop in Majority of Metro Areas
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports lower unemployment rates in 351 of the nation’s 372 metro areas in November. Rates were higher in 16 metro areas, and unchanged in five.… Continue
Fort Worth, TX