To Understand the Purpose, Function and Desired Result of Federal Reforms and Disaster Recovery, It Is Important to Understand the Systemic Causes of Puerto Rico's Financial Distress by James Spiotto Puerto Rico's financial problems did not begin with the Great...
Public Policy
State and Local Tax Deduction: Impacts and Reform
In Washington, the GOP Targets Big Changes to the State and Local Tax Deduction; What are the Impacts? by Jeffrey L Garceau The Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have released their long-awaited tax reform plan on Thursday. Tax-reform will affect...
Beyond Fiscal Troubles and Hurricane Maria: What, Why, and How Puerto Rico Should Recover
Puerto Rico's Recent Fiscal and Economic History, and The Road Ahead for Puerto Rico's Hurricane Recovery and Financial Renewal by James Spiotto Puerto Rico has suffered the perfect storm of a financial crisis of epic proportions and the devastating effects of...
Fiscal Impacts of Immigration on State and Local Governments: Boon or Burden?
Study Finds Immigration Short-Term Net Cost; Long-Term Impacts by Jeffrey L Garceau Immigration is always in the news, and immigration policy is never settled. While there are many controversial facets of immigration policy in the United States, one way policy makers...
Carbon Taxes and Cap and Trade – State Policy Options
The Debate Over a Carbon Taxes, Cap and Trade, or Doing Nothing Matters to Environmentalists, but also State Budgets State governments have a lot of power to go beyond Federal requirements in setting environmental standards. Taxing power is also extensive, and...
High Speed Rail Part II: California High Speed Rail
Controversial California High Speed Rail Project Offers Infrastructure Lessons MuniNet's multi-part series take a closer look at some of the more significant and interesting high speed rail projects and plans going on throughout the United States. The aim is to take a...
Medicaid and Repealing the Affordable Care Act: The Impact on States
Full Repeal of Affordable Care Act, Without Replacement, Would Cause Many to Lose Coverage MuniNet focuses on cities and states, and typically does not cover Federal policy issues. However, the planned repeal of the Affordable Care Act has significant potential...
States Take Steps to Increase Access to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Policies Attempt to Enable Low- and Middle-Income Households to Increase Energy Efficiency The National Conference of State Legislatures provides useful research and news on a variety of topics being addressed by state governments. NCSL recently released a report on...
Into the Gap: State Retirement Savings Systems Empower Workers
State Retirement Savings Plans Provide Opportunities for Small Businesses and Their Employees Offering retirement plans is a widely practiced benefit offering among U.S. employers. However, the vast majority of those plans are offered by large companies with 500 or...
Inclusionary Zoning: Creating Effective Housing Policy Through Harnessing Private Market Activity
New Report Shows How Inclusionary Zoning Can Help Produce Strong Mixed Housing Markets In the United States today, nearly ten million households pay more than half their income for housing. Cities enact policies to foster economic development and affordable housing...