Category: News and Political Intelligence

Direct Pay Bonds Remain in the Spotlight

Following the release of the LIFT Act municipal bond financing package and the continued momentum towards a robust infrastructure bill, this morning Politico Pro produced a spotlight piece on bonds, specifically a BABs revival which remains a priority for the MBFA and BDA The article can be viewed here. The Politico piece tracks closely to recent…
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President Biden to Host Lawmakers for Infrastructure Discussion

Later today, President Biden is expected to host a bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers to discuss infrastructure and the potential for legislation this year, the second meeting of this kind in April. Of note for today’s meeting is that all lawmakers invited were former Mayors or Governors, a sign that the Biden Administration is…
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Rep. Terri Sewell to Introduce a Bill to Reinstate Advance Refundings, Other Priorities

We expect that later this morning Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) will introduce the “Local  Infrastructure Financing Tools (LIFT) Act.” The bill will include several BDA and MBFA priorities, including: Reinstate advance refundings as they were in pre-2018 tax law. This provision would take effect 30 days after the date of enactment. Expand bank-qualified bonds. The…
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Ways and Means Chair Neal Reiterates Support for Bond Financing in Infrastructure Package

Following the announcement of the Biden infrastructure plan, House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) signaled that he plans legislative changes to the original draft, including ensuring that bond financing plays a role in the final package.  His statements this week reiterate what the Chairman discussed during the BDA’sEngage Capitol Hill 2021 event last…
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MBFA Submits Testimony to Ways and Means on Municipal Bond Hearing

Today, the Municipal Bonds for America Council (MBFA) submitted testimony following the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures March 11th hearing titled, “Tax Tools to Help  Local Governments.”  The MBFA testimony can be viewed here. While the hearing covered a multitude of other tax issues, the majority of the discussion focused on municipal…
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Muni Advocacy Commentary – in today’s Bond Buyer – by Chris Hamel, MBFA Advisory Board member

The New Normal Requires Enhanced Municipal Finance Tools by: Chris Hamel To read this commentary, in today’s Bond Buyer click here. Chris Hamel is an Advisory Board member of the Municipal Bonds for America council and a Senior Fellow with Municipal Market Analytics, Inc.

Biden Administration Intends to Pass Robust Bi-Partisan Infrastructure and Public Works Package

With the pending change of Administration in early 2021, infrastructure has once again taken center stage for potential major legislative action. The Biden Administration has made its intention clear on passing a robust bi-partisan infrastructure and public works package as part of the ongoing stimulus intervention of the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.…
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