Amid probe, municipal bond industry group calls for more federal oversight of certain brokers
The municipal bond market's self-regulatory body is calling for greater government oversight of the industry as federal authorities

Nationwide Inquiry on Bids for Municipal Bonds
The federal investigation that prompted Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico to withdraw his nomination as commerce secretary offers a rare glimpse into a long-simmering investigation of possible bid-rigging, tax evasion and other wrongdoing throughout the municipal bond business, The New York Times?s Mary Williams Walsh writes.

Olympic Village fiasco highlights need for a municipal auditor general
Municipal politicians sometimes like to say that local government is the most accountable because it's closest to the people. But the City of Vancouver's growing financial liabilities for the Olympic Village should put that notion to rest.

U.S. investigates bidding for municipal bonds
The American authorities have been investigating what appears to be collusion in the multibillion-dollar municipal bonds market.

New Government Incentives May Be Needed to Renew Green Development
President-elect Barack Obama said yesterday that he wanted to double the production of alternative energy over the next three years, a goal that will probably require a new set of government incentives for the capital-intensive solar and wind industries.

Nationwide Inquiry on Bids for Municipal Bonds
The authorities have been investigating what appears to be collusion in the multibillion-dollar municipal bonds market.

Make wise picks on municipal bonds
Municipal bonds have long been a safe haven for higher income investors looking for safety and greater tax efficiency. The credit squeeze put the municipal bond market through its paces but it may be time to take asecond look at both municipal bonds and muni bond funds.

Act 47 meant to prevent municipal bankruptcies
The state views Act 47, the Financially Distressed Municipalities Act, as the safety net to protect municipalities from bankruptcy, according to Fred Reddig, executive director of the Governor?s Center for Local Government Services.

Buy Munis, TIPs on Government Actions, Gross Says (Update3)
The recommendations build on a list of assets Gross has said will benefit from government spending aimed at curbing a global recession, after what he called a series of ?Ponzi schemes? in the economy.

Municipal employees to be paid salaries on 1st of month:Chief Minister
Hyderabad, Jan 8 : Conceding the long pending request of the Municipal Employees, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today decided to pay the salaries and pensions of the Municipal employees other than GHMC, GVMC and VMC through treasuries on a par with panchayat raj employees with effect from April 1, 2009.

Muni bond group calls for federal market oversight
(AP:WASHINGTON) The municipal bond market's self-regulatory body is calling for greater government oversight of the industry as federal authorities investigate alleged corruption among brokers that advise states and cities.

Muni bond group calls for federal market oversight
(AP:WASHINGTON) The municipal bond market's self-regulatory body is calling for greater government oversight of the industry as federal authorities investigate corruption among brokers that advise states and cities.

NYC Municipal Jobs Pay Well, Cost Even More
The average municipal worker in New York makes around $69,000 but costs taxpayers almost $107k.

PBAP demands cut in stamp duty, opposes ready reckoner rates,
Representatives of real estate developers in Pune on Wednesday said, the government of Maharashtra and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) were jointly responsible for the unaffordable cost of residential and commercial properties as both establishments have irrationally increased the ready reckoner rates, stamp duty registration fees and various other development charges during a slowdown time.

Buy Munis, TIPs on Government Actions, Gross Says (Update1)
The recommendations build on a list of assets Gross has said will benefit from government spending aimed at curbing a global recession. Investors should anticipate which classes of assets the government may purchase, then buy them first, he wrote.

(AFX UK Focus) 2009-01-09 17:22 UPDATE 1-US govt must regulate contract brokers-muni board
WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board called on Friday for federal regulation of guaranteed investment contract brokers and other currently unregulated financial advisers. Since 2006, the federal government has investigated possible bid-rigging in the selling of the contracts, which municipal bond issuers use to park the proceeds of their bond sales.

Muni bond group calls for federal market oversight
Associated Press - January 9, 2009 1:03 PM ET WASHINGTON (AP) - The municipal bond market's self-regulatory body is calling for greater government oversight of the industry as federal...

Utility could receive federal help on dam project
An economic stimulus package from the federal government could help the Black River Falls Municipal Utility fund some multi-million dollar projects it has planned.

Woodland Park challenges include wrestling with new name
WOODLAND PARK â?? It's a new year, the borough has a new name and officials have made new appointments to municipal positions and boards. Mayor Pat Lepore and the Borough Council swore in dozens of appointees at the municipal government's annual reorganization Wednesday evening at Borough Hall.

One-stop lip service; and freeze government pay
Anticipating hard times for state government, some legislators are musing about abolishing minor commissions, particularly those that were created largely to placate special interests, to make cheap gestures of official concern, and to strike poses of political correctness -- namely, the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, the Commission on Aging, the African-American Affairs ...