Denver is facing a crucial shortage of affordable housing, with both long-time residents and newcomers struggling to find suitable living arrangements. The proposal put forward by Mayor Mike Johnston aims to address this pressing issue by implementing a 0.5% sales tax increase to generate around $100 million annually. This comes on the heels of a
Politics
The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) recently priced over $1 billion of senior sales tax bonds amid the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many other transit agencies across the country, the MBTA is grappling with significant ridership and revenue losses in a world where remote work has become the norm. This article
The Illinois state comptroller recently reported a 55% year-over-year increase in the end-of-year general revenue fund cash balance, showcasing a significant improvement in the state’s financial management. This improvement is a stark departure from previous years when the state struggled with massive unpaid bill backlogs that exceeded $10 billion. The current balance of $1.7 billion
The California High-Speed Rail project achieved a significant milestone with the approval of final environmental clearance for the challenging segment between Palmdale and Burbank. This 38-mile section requires extensive tunneling through mountains, including portions within the Angeles National Forest and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The estimated cost of the high-speed rail project has
The West Contra Costa Unified School District, based in Richmond, California, recently faced a financial crisis when it failed to approve an accountability plan necessary to pass a budget by the end of the fiscal year. This failure prompted Contra Costa County to step in and prepare to take over budget activities. Typically, if a
Michigan’s $82.5 billion fiscal 2025 budget is set to be signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and includes significant investments in roads and bridges. The funding for these infrastructure projects will come from the $700 million final tranche of Rebuilding Michigan Plan bonds, which will be issued later this year. This includes repairs to a key
Governor Gavin Newsom recently delivered a State of the State speech that was criticized for not adequately addressing California’s challenges in light of tax revenue shortfalls. Instead of focusing on state policy issues, Newsom centered his speech around national politics and the California Dream. His speech, delivered to an empty Dodgers Stadium due to COVID-19
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has raised concerns over the slow pace at which the Department of Transportation (DOT) is distributing Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds. Despite receiving over $364 billion since the enactment of IIJA, the DOT has only obligated a little over half of the funds and outlaid a
The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) and the State of Missouri are currently embroiled in a legal battle over the state’s innovative environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment regulation. The lawsuit revolves around laws that require advisors and broker-dealers to obtain consent from customers before engaging in investment activities based on social or
Denver Health, Colorado’s primary safety net healthcare provider, is facing a critical financial situation. The escalating costs of uncompensated care have amounted to $140 million in the past year alone. Without additional funding, the health system will be forced to make significant cuts in services, causing delays in care and hindering necessary maintenance. To address