The Municipal Bonds for America council is planning a “virtual fly-in” for Steering Committee members starting this Friday. As infrastructure continues to move on Capitol Hill, members will have the opportunity to discuss these key muni priorities with DC decision-makers in the House, Senate, and in the Administration: Restoration of tax-exempt advance refundings; Expansion of…
Category: MBFA
Bipartisan Senate Direct Pay Bill to be Introduced Today
This afternoon, Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) are expected to reintroduce the American Infrastructure Bonds Act, a bill that would create a new direct pay taxable bond in the mold on the Build America Bond but exempt from sequestration. Similar legislation was introduced in the House last week, the Lift Act,…
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…
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…
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…
Save the Date: MBFA Virtual Fly-In Infrastructure and Municipal Bonds, May 5-12 2021
The Municipal Bonds for America Council is planning a “virtual fly-in” for Steering Committee members May 5-12. The event will include meetings with senior staff on Capitol Hill and the Administration and will provide MBFA members with the opportunity to talk with policy and decisions makers on MBFA priorities such as: Restoration of tax-exempt advance refundings; Expansion…
Infrastructure in America: Munis Since 1812
The Municipal Bonds for America council is launching a new initiative highlighting the role of municipal finance in American infrastructure and capital improvement. By analyzing projects of the past, present, and future, will tell the story of how municipal bond market financing has built American infrastructure with efficiency and low cost literally since 1812. This is an…
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…
President Biden Touts Outline for $2.2 Trillion Dollar Infrastructure Plan
Yesterday, President Biden spoke on his Administrations’s initial outline of a $2.2 trillion dollar infrastructure plan, laying the groundwork for the second major initiative of the Administrations Build Back Better plan following the recent passage of a $1.9 trillion dollar COVID relief package. While the plan did not discuss financing in great detail, including bond…
House Bill to Reinstate Tax-Exempt Advance Refundings Introduced
BDA and MBFA Continue to Advocate for Inclusion in Infrastructure Package Today, Municipal Finance Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MA) and Steve Stivers (R-OH) reintroduced legislation that would reinstate tax-exempt advance refundings. This follows the recent introduction of a companion bill in the Senate by Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Debbie As a long-standing priority for…