MuniLand

Very interesting map from Gallup showing the variance of economic performance across the nation. Bloomberg has a more in-depth graphic on the same topic.

Good Links

WSJ: Itchy investors ramp up the risk

Reuters: $44 billion in municipal debt is backstopped by European banks

Seeking Alpha: Book review: Joe Mysak’s Encyclopedia of Municipal Bonds

Bond Buyer: Pittsburgh defies state receiver and issues new debt

Detroit Free Press: More than 20 percent of Michigan’s state prisoners have severe mental disabilities

Patriot News: Harrisburg recovery plan keeps bankruptcy option on the table, calls for chief operating officer

PA Independent: Marcellus shale fee bill set for final votes in PA House, Senate

Collingswood Patch: Collingswood, NJ is confident latest moves will reverse Moody’s multi-notch downgrade

@Twitter Talk

@stlouisfed St. Louis Fed   Bullard: The lengthy near-zero interest rate policy punishes savers in the economy bit.ly/zjKse5

@GOVERNING GOVERNING  States face critical choice as they decide which insurance plan will be their benchmark for essential health benefits: governing.com/blogs/view/sta…

@blackrockusinvs BlackRock®  December saw several rulings on California state redevelopment agencies bit.ly/zM1j6Y

@wizardkitten wizardkitten   lllinois ranks 1st nationally in number of wind farms installed in 2011 dailynorthwestern.com/city/lllinois-…

@tmaniccia Tim Maniccia  Northeast Ohio leaders oppose proposal to privatize Ohio Turnpike – Local News: bit.ly/yq0Qo8

@StatesideAssoc Stateside Associates  4 New Jersey bills require more transparency from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.  bit.ly/wv3ET8

@GreatLakesGuy GreatLakesGuy   Chicago aspires to pioneer 21st century urban food system, Mayor @RahmEmanuel‘s policy director says huff.to/xgq84I

@kelleyroot Kelley Root  Police, fire concessions deal coming this week, Mayor Dave Bing says:  detroitnews.com/article/201202…

@OKPolicy OK Policy  Fallin: Okla manufacturing jobs grew 2.5 times faster than Texas. Yes, and we have an income tax. Hmmm…. #sots2012