MuniLand

It’s rocky in muniland, and it helps to get a view from those who have navigated the terrain before. Peter Hayes, director and head of the Municipal Bonds Group at BlackRock Fundamental Fixed Income, advises investors to consider risk factors such as a tax policy and negative headlines.

Good Links

Bond Buyer: States’ tax revenue growth softened in 4th quarter

Atlantic Cities: The U.S. cities with the fastest growing job markets

SEC: Risk alert on strengthening practices for underwriting of municipal securities

Reuters: SEC seeks better muni disclosure, record-keeping

Bond Buyer: Non-debt debt raises Chapter 9 bankruptcy issues

Reuters: New Jersey (no kidding) is among best corruption fighters

Star Ledger: Governor Christie’s budget projection is the most optimistic in nation

Birmingham News: Jefferson County legal settlements windfall slated to vanish

Changing Gears: Code for America formats the Detroit Consent Agreement for comments

Detroit News: Kindred spirits a year ago, Snyder and Bing clash over Detroit’s financial woes

Bond Buyer: Bid on bankrupt high-rise for seniors in Chicago offers cents on the dollar

@Twitter Talk

AndrewLainton @AndrewLainton Jules Dupuit – who discovered demnd curve- in 1843 proved that public goods/infrastructure should be free  http://bit.ly/FWGsyO

John Littlehale  @jdlhale @AndrewLainton Nothing is free, it is just how the cost is borne: taxation or direct payment. Today we take free lunch of debt.

Mark Follman   @markfollman wow, this map: http://mojo.ly/yUQ75H “The ongoing March heat wave in the Midwest is one of the most extreme heat events in US history.”

Darrell West @darrwest 8 states given F for corruption by CPI: MI, ND, SC, ME, VA, WY, SD, and GA. What about traditional mainstays of RI, LA, IL, and NJ?

SEC Investor Ed @SEC_Investor_Ed SEC Office of Investor Education and Advocacy’s New Investor Bulletin on Municipal Bonds:  http://go.usa.gov/Exp

Michael Pietronico @MillerTabak one should view the death of the bond market the same way the media promotes a 20% correction in stocks…something is on sale folks

OK Policy  @OKPolicy Number of the Day: 1 in 42 Oklahoma adults are under correctional control, 7th most in the nation http://ow.ly/9K9F7

Sacramento PressClub   @SacPressClub Pension Reform debate. Last week to RSVP for Marcia Fritz vs Dave Low luncheon. Details here:  http://www.sacpressclub.org/