MuniLand

Rather than addressing the nation’s huge fiscal and economic problems, Congress is blowing a lot of hot air about contraception. Here is a map of states requiring coverage and an excellent backgrounder on the issue from the Council of State Governments.

Good Links

WaPo: The trillions the government doesn’t account for

Center for American Progress: A “House America” bond for state housing finance agencies

Reuters: Slowing flows into municipal bond funds

Bloomberg: Virginia relies on defense for 13.9 percent of its gross state product

Reuters: Alabama legislators cool to bankrupt county’s woes

Bond Buyer: Harrisburg receiver considers sale of city assets

WSJ: A bond market certainty: Bonds of municipalities that are near default drop in price

Grist: As fracking boom hits Ohio, industry deceives landowners

@Twitter Talk

@WestWingReport West Wing Report‏   White House chart shows U.S. reliance on oil imports, 60% as recently as 2005, fell to 52% in 2009 and 45% in 2011 (EIA.gov)

@BondBuyerJen Jen DePaul‏ Surprising. Minneapolis has the highest combined sales tax and meals tax in the U.S. followed by Chicago & Va Beach. taxfoundation.org/news/show/2801…

@StatesideAssoc Stateside Associates‏ Minnesota’s economic forecast shows $323 million budget surplus, extra $ to be spent on reserve fund & school debt bit.ly/y52Dux

@pipelinePG Pipeline‏ South Fayette intends to fight state shale law  pgne.ws/9of5a (via @PittsburghPG) #fracking

@pewtrusts Pew Trusts   49% of Philadelphia residents [say] they’d pay higher taxes for more city services, 42% prefer lower taxes, fewer services. ow.ly/9n4sC

@FoodSecCourses Reg Noble  Urban farming on rooftops is expanding rapidly in New York with support of the city  nydn.us/ykjfAWfb.me/1a3YbzHZi

@secstatewa Secretary of State‏  WA lawmakers OK tolls for new I-5 Columbia Crossing bridge in Vancouver.  tinyurl.com/7bdozdc