Finance

Republicans Unveil $568 Billion Infrastructure Proposal

GOP senators said that they’re ready to engage with Democrats and the Biden administration to work out a deal.

  • By Bill Lucia

Justice Department Defends Tax Mandate Provision in Covid Relief Bill

In a court filing, the department responded to a lawsuit filed by Ohio’s attorney general, who said the tax mandate was unconstitutional and encroached on his state’s financial decisions.

  • By Andrea Noble

The Federal Government Will Now Give PPP Loans to Borrowers in Bankruptcy

Thousands of companies working their way out of bankruptcy are now eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program after ProPublica reported that the Small Business Administration had been excluding them.

  • By Lydia DePillis, ProPublica

'A Troubling Trend': Independent State Program Evaluation Under Attack

Without a vote, the legislative leadership in North Carolina closed the state’s program evaluation division. Experts say the growing power of legislative leaders presents an accelerating danger for transparent, publicly available evaluation.

  • By Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene

House Lawmakers Launch Group to Fight for 'SALT' Cap Repeal

But they face firm Republican opposition and there are no clear signs of support coming from the White House.

  • By Bill Lucia

New Treasury Office Will Oversee Covid Relief and Recovery Programs

Billions in state and local government aid is part of the office's portfolio.

  • By Bill Lucia

Cities Prepare to Spend Historic Sums of Federal Aid

In addition to filling budget gaps, they're looking at longer-term recovery programs focused on areas like housing and job training.

  • By Bill Lucia

Biden's Budget Would Up Spending on State and Local Programs

The president's initial fiscal 2022 blueprint, released Friday, calls for a 16% federal spending increase on a broad slate of domestic programs. Republicans swiftly criticized the plan.

  • By Bill Lucia

Best Market for First-Time Homebuyers is in the Middle of Illinois, Report Finds

A new report from the National Association of Realtors suggests that mid-sized cities could be the ticket for millennials looking to purchase homes.

  • By Jean Dimeo

Biden on Infrastructure: ‘We Will Not Be Open to Doing Nothing’

The president also emphasized he is prepared to have talks with Republicans about his proposed spending package.

  • By Bill Lucia

Legal Challenges Mount Against Tax Cut Prohibition in Covid Relief Law

Confusion over the tax mandate embedded in the $350 billion direct aid program for states and localities led Kentucky and Tennessee to file suit.

  • By Andrea Noble

‘SALT’ Saga Flares as Governors Push to Repeal $10,000 Limit

The latest efforts to restore a federal break for state and local tax payments come as the White House proposes tax policy changes to help fund President Biden's infrastructure package.

  • By Bill Lucia
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29% of Adults Have Debt in Collections, Report Finds

An analysis by the Urban Institute shows a disproportionate amount of debt in collections is held by communities of color and residents of southern states.

  • By Brent Woodie

Grading State Budget Practices at a Turbulent Time

The Volcker Alliance’s latest state budget report cards come as the pandemic has tested public finances and as historic sums of federal aid flow toward states and localities.

  • By Bill Lucia

Survey: Half of Black and Latina Women on the Brink of Poverty

Women of color said they have had barely enough to pay for food, housing and child care during the pandemic.

  • By Brent Woodie

What Can Parks Do When Demand Rises as Budgets Decline?

Though there may be greater appreciation for the nation’s parks, many are still fighting for funding. Some states are finding solutions.

  • By Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene

Lawmakers Renew Push to Restore Axed Municipal Refinancing Tool

Advance refunding helped state and local governments save on borrowing costs. The bipartisan effort to bring it back could get rolled into forthcoming infrastructure legislation.

  • By Bill Lucia

How a Federal Agency Excluded Thousands of Viable Businesses From Pandemic Relief

The Small Business Administration refuses to give pandemic relief loans to people who have filed for bankruptcy, even if their businesses can survive.

  • By Lydia DePillis, ProPublica

When State and Local Governments Can Expect to Receive Stimulus Funds

The Treasury Department is still working on guidance that will better inform states of how they can use the money. But aid for cities and counties must be distributed within 60 days of the law’s passage.

  • By Andrea Noble

Republican State Officials Bristle Over Tax Cut Prohibition in Covid Relief Bill

Ohio’s Attorney General has sued the Biden administration over the provision, which is embedded in the $350 billion direct aid program for states and localities. A coalition of 21 other AGs are asking for more guidance on the mandate.

  • By Andrea Noble

‘An Insult’: Attorneys General Slam Purdue Restructuring Plan

Under the proposal filed this week, the OxyContin manufacturer would pay $4.25 billion to states, municipalities and others.

  • By Andrea Noble