MuniLand

The Tax Foundation published this bleak-looking map to show how long taxpayers in each state must work before discharging their local, state and federal tax obligations. Connecticut taxpayers work the latest, until May 5, to pay off the tax collector. New Jersey and New York are tied for second place, working until May 1. Sorry, taxpayers.

Good Links

ECRI: Why our recession call stands

Council of State Governments: State infrastructure banks

Investor.gov: Municipal bonds fact sheet

ZeroHedge: How states can become independent of the federal government

Reuters: Layoffs, freezes, retirements for U.S. public sector

Bond Buyer: Issuers see less shame in default, muniland insiders say

Reuters:  Illinois governor unveils “bold” plan to save pensions

Illinois Governor’s Office: Pensions fact sheet

WSJ: States gobble up federal funds for mine remediation long after need is gone

Reuters: Alabama court says bonds not needed for muni bankruptcies

Bloomberg: Santa Clara bets that taxpayers won’t have to pay for new 49ers stadium

CBSnews.com: Dixon, Illinois comptroller stole $30 million from the city, authorities say

@Twitter Talk

West Wing Reports  @WestWingReport “To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.” – Madison

Century Foundation @TCFdotorg Audio: TCF Fellow Suzanne Mettler on The Submerged State – how many gov’t benefits are unseen by most Americans  http://bit.ly/HTLJt1

BostonFed  @BostonFed From Great Recession onset to Q2 ’11, at least 35 state UI programs borrowed from federal gov to pay benefits  http://ow.ly/amur2

Paul Greaves  @greavespg Dubrow – if a municipality files for Ch. 9, important to know whether they are covered by a state or muni pension plan #NFMA #muniland

Bill Cluck ‏ @hbgbill Dear Sen Piccola- read the forensic report instead of criticizing the former receiver.  http://bit.ly/Jr7s0M

MSSB GIC ‏ @MSSB_GIC “April Showers” the GIC Monthly Report is out. See our April report  http://bit.ly/veRZoh

Emily Castor ‏ @emilycastor Casual carpooling in action. So much potential exists for the next generation of #ridesharing http://pic.twitter.com/vd9dJZEK