In an effort to improve the financial reporting of derivatives by state and local governments, the General Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has issued a preliminary draft of new disclosure requirements. GASB also recently posted a “plain language” article – written specifically for users of financial statements – that explains derivatives and the proposed reporting requirements in easy-to-understand terms.
Employment/Human Resources
Record Month for State Revenues in California
Apparently, April was a good month for the state of California, which took in a record $11.3 billion in income tax collections. Now lawmakers are trying to decide how to best use this money.
Massachusetts Pioneers Universal Healthcare Coverage Legislation
Massachusetts is the first state to pass a universal health care coverage law, but others may be following suit.
Striving for Online Excellence – Part 1: Function
Increasing government accountability, educating citizens, and providing financial disclosure are among the key functions of today’s best municipal web sites. This first installment in MuniNet Guide’s “Striving for Online Excellence” three-part series examines these and other objectives of top-notch state, county and local government sites.
Property Tax Stability Could Be at Risk if Housing Market Fizzles
A continued slowdown in the housing market could have a negative effect on the property tax base in communities around the country – particularly along the East and West Coasts.
Municipal Bond Market Breaks $400 Billion Mark in 2005
The municipal bond market had a strong year in 2005, spurred on by low long term interest rates. The year was particularly favorable for the state of California, which took advantage of low long term yields and represented half of all bond issues.
Google and Mountain View, CA Strike Deal on Wi-fi Service … Other Cities Poised to Follow Suit
Mountain View, California has accepted an offer from Google to provide citywide wireless access. Other larger cities, like San Francisco and Philadelphia are considering similar offers from wireless providers.
Alaska State Housing Agency Provides Exemplary Financial Info
From quarterly single family loan statistics or official statements for outstanding bond issues, the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation web site opens the door to a plethora of state housing information. One of the most comprehensive state housing authority web sites...
How the Muni Bond Experts Use the Internet
We recently polled members of the MuniNet Guide & Review Editorial Advisory Board - a group comprised of professionals who work in local government and municipal research - to see how they use the Internet to get the information they need to do their jobs....
Merritt Research Provides Financial Data, Benchmarks for Public Sector Age
With the launch of its redesigned web site,) feature, users can search the database by sector, credit name, state or code, and then purchase individual credit financial and ratio reports in spreadsheet format for $50. Monthly observations, benchmarks, industry trends...