We're joined this week by Victoria Yarbrough, who serves as Assistant City Manager for Sierra Vista, AZ. She talks to us about how her city has leveraged tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act to invest in economic development, including capitalizing on Sierra Vista's unique "high desert" climate to nurture a thriving sports tourism industry. In Ripped from the Headlines, we discuss a piece that explains why equity evaluation is key to new municipal clean energy programs.
Aug 26, 2024•47 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In the latest installment of our state treasurer series, we speak with Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks. He talks to us about why he made the jump from investment banker to the state treasurer's office, financial education programs for Utah students, and of course, some fascinating unclaimed property stories! In Ripped from the Headlines, we break down a story about the Climate Revolution Action Network in New Jersey protesting ties between the state's public pension fund and the fossil fuel industry....
Aug 19, 2024•48 min•Season 3Ep. 10
By the 2050s, one in five U.S. counties will face compound material exposure to two or more acute climate hazards such as drought, extreme heat, wildfires, and flooding. This week, we're joined by Steve Bullock, who leads the Research and Methodology Team at S&P Global Sustainable1. He helps us break down the data and analytics being used to provide better transparency and help investors integrate climate risk into their decision-making, along with ensuring state and local governments are pr...
Aug 12, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 9
We weren't able to fit everything from our conversation with Jon Mondillo (abrdn) into one episode, but we still wanted to share the rest of it! Enjoy this bonus episode, where Jon talks to us about affordable housing, charter schools, and trends in hospital systems and Continuing Care Retirement Communities.
Aug 08, 2024•23 min•Season 3Ep. 8
This week, we talk to Jon Mondillo, Head of North American Fixed Income at abrdn. He tells us about taking advantage of strong demand in the marketplace, relative value and perceptions of the interest rate cycle, and the implications that the extension (or lack of extension) of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have on municipalities and municipal issuers. In Ripped from the Headlines, we dig deeper into the multitude of scenarios that municipal bond issuers are preparing for based on the outcome o...
Aug 05, 2024•43 min•Season 3Ep. 7
State and local governments are struggling to hire public finance professionals. Is this due to a shortage of qualified individuals, or something else? We talk with Heidi Voorhees, co-founder of GovHR USA and GovTempsUSA about recruiting strategies and how government agencies can incentivize professionals - from recent college grads to those working in the private sector - to work in public finance. In Ripped from the Headlines, we discuss what college graduates look for in potential employers, ...
Jul 29, 2024•52 min•Season 3Ep. 6
From small municipalities to large urban centers, how do we define "politics" in local government budgeting? How do elected officials and finance professionals build trust and credibility with the public? And what does politics mean as we "reinvent" local budgeting. Join us for a master class on these and other questions in our third and final interview from the 2024 GFOA conference, where we sat down with Rick Cole, Chief Deputy Comptroller for the City of Los Angeles; Mike Bailey, Director of ...
Jul 22, 2024•57 min•Season 3Ep. 5
How has Detroit turned around their finances to receive a major credit upgrade? What challenges still linger, especially when it comes to using federal money and tax credits effectively to invest in the community? Learn the answers to these questions and more in our second installment of interviews from the 2024 GFOA conference, where we spoke with Kevin Bain, Director of Strategy for the City of Detroit.
Jul 15, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Our state treasurer series continues with Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs. We discuss responsible financial stewardship; the state of ESG; Illinois' investment strategies; and hear about some unique and fascinating unclaimed property stories! In Ripped from the Headlines, we discuss the effects of out-migration on Illinois' economy and the challenges of creating policy to reverse this trend.
Jul 08, 2024•54 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Housing affordability, the boom-and-bust cycle of the tech industry, and fiscal policymaking at the ballot box. How does a credit analyst view California's unique state and local public finance? Join us as we sit down with Jennifer Johnston, Senior Vice President and Director of Municipal Bond Research at Franklin Templeton to hear her perspective. In Ripped from the Headlines, we discuss the latest budget deal reached in California to address its deficit, and what $16 billion in budget cuts mea...
Jul 01, 2024•52 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In our season 3 premiere, we caught up with speakers from the panel on "Rethinking Financial Reporting" at the 2024 GFOA Conference in Orlando. We dive into themes from the panel like technology in finance, the future of financial reporting, and careers in government finance with our guests, David Guo, Regents Distinguished Professor of Public Finance at the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs at Wichita State University; Jennifer Becker, Financial Services Director for the City of Burbank, Calif...
Jun 24, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 1
We wrap up Season 2 with California Treasurer Fiona Ma. We cover California’s deficit; the challenge and opportunity of ESG investing; why housing affordability is California's number one policy challenge; how she advocates for Calfornia's agriculture; why she's a card carrying SAG member; and how Kristi Yamaguchi helped her save San Francisco's Cow Palace, among many other topics. In Ripped from the Headlines, we look deeper into California's plan to put multiple bond proposals on the ballot to...
May 06, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 38
As we wrap up season 2, we look back at some of the themes that dominated the season. These key themes include state revenue challenges, the emergence of AI in public finance, cybersecurity, the impact of e-sports on public finance, the economies of "industry" cities, and how municipalities are thinking about building back better.
Apr 29, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 37
We talk to Zach Mohr, Professor at the University of Kansas, about all things elections (not campaign!) finance. He unpacks the many types election administration costs; why states are banning private investment in elections administration; how elections administration competes with other core state/local services; and why, given all these challenges, elections administration is "a miracle." In Ripped from the Headlines, we discuss an article that explains how the looming threat of federal gover...
Apr 15, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 36
We welcome Genesis Gavino, Chief of Staff and Resilience Officer for the City of Dallas, TX. She explains why resilience is an environmental, financial, and equity issue; the challenges of climate adaptation for a "Blue City in a Red State"; why Dallas has prioritized climate adaptation; how the city measures progress and holds itself accountable for resilience goals and plans; and how membership in voluntary climate organizations helps create urban resiliency, among many other topics. In Ripped...
Apr 08, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 35
We converse on California's state budget with Gabe Petek, Legislative Analyst for the State of California. He explains California's dueling state budget deficit figures; why the current revenue shortfall is different than the 2008 recession; how much of California's budget woes are "structural" vs. "cyclical"; how he and Governor Newsom propose to address the budget deficit; why economic mobility matters to state budgeting; and how Gabe's prior life in Muniland shapes his views the Legislative A...
Apr 01, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Professor Don Moynihan from Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy shares his views on "administrative burden." He tells us how he defines administrative burden and why it's important for state and local public money, the opportunities and trade offs involved in reducing administrative burden, and what the pandemic taught us about how we might redesign the social safety net. In Ripped from the Headlines, we discuss an article about Maine's move to offer free lunch to all public ...
Mar 18, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 33
We talk to Casey Kopcho, principal auditor in the Oregon Secretary of State's office. He shares his thoughts on the risks, opportunities and outlook for artificial intelligence in state government, with emphasis on AI and election integrity, how we might regulate AI; and why Furbees are the original AI, among many other topics. In Ripped from the Headlines, we talk about a piece that covers Nebraska's AI and Democracy Summit.
Mar 11, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 32
We talk to Michael Gaughan, Executive Director of Vermont Bond Bank (and rumored long-time Public Money Pod fan). He tells us why bond banks are well-equipped to meet the unique capital markets challenges of small and rural communities, how the Bank is focused on climate adaptation investments, and how they are leveraging federal dollars from the IRA and IRJA, among many other topics. In Ripped from the Headlines, we discuss a report on the nation's crumbling drinking water systems, and how brea...
Feb 26, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 31
We visit with Matt Wachter and Drew Whiting, co-founder and current Executive Director, respectively, of the Erie (PA) Downtown Development Corporation. They share Erie's experience with Opportunity Zones (OZs), including a remarkably fast launch; building community around OZs; the challenge of sustaining progress; what OZs mean for local public finance; and how they define success. In Ripped from the Headlines, we review a story covering the proposed changes in the renewal of the federal OZ leg...
Feb 12, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 30
We talk to Dag Detter, author of The Public Wealth of Cities and advisor to governments around the world. We consider how state/local governments account for long-term assets, why he thinks current accounting rules are not up to the task, and his vision to fix it. He also lays out his argument for public wealth funds in the United States. In Ripped from the Headlines, we continue the conversation about public finance and real estate with a story about Meriden, Connecticut's plan to sell vacant p...
Feb 05, 2024•38 min•Season 2Ep. 29
We welcome Laura Allen, budget analyst with the Maryland Department of Budget and Management AND current President of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). We discuss GFOA's priorities for the year, with special emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in public finance; GFOA's research agenda; and why public money is a great career for women, among many other topics. In Ripped from the Headlines, we discuss a story about the future of government jobs with the emergence of arti...
Jan 29, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 28
We continue our state treasurer series with Kansas Treasurer Steven Johnson. We discuss his office's role in distributing federal funding; his take on the Kansas "Income Tax Experiment"; the state’s philosophy on ESG investing, why Modern Portfolio Theory is alive and well in the Sunflower State; and adventures in unclaimed property. In Ripped from the Headlines, we discuss the National Association of State Budget Officers' latest edition of the Fiscal Survey of the States.
Jan 22, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 27
We continue our state treasurer series with Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti. We discuss how his office has led the legislative effort on savings at birth (Baby Bonds) and for retirement (auto IRAs), and why savings is a rural economic development tool; his advocacy for the federal SAFE Banking Act for financial services for recreational marijuana businesses; and why he sees the anti-ESG movement as dangerous. In Ripped from the Headlines, we discuss Citi's exit from the municipal bo...
Jan 15, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 26
We talk to Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder about Louisiana's finances. He shares his views on ESG investing, how pension investing can drive economic development, and why integrity is everything in public finance. In Ripped from the Headlines, we continue the discussion about Louisiana with a story about how changes in property insurance coverage in the state is affecting public school districts finances.
Jan 09, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 24
We talk to Dawn Lang (CFO) and Riann Balch (Community Resources Manager) from the City of Chandler, AZ. They walk us through the causes and consequences of their city's rise in homelessness, the success of their Community Navigators program, how homelessness touches both the revenue and the spending side of the Activity Statement, and how they're planning for the coming fiscal cliff, among other topics. In Ripped from the Headlines, we look at an article about how Colorado has worked to create a...
Jan 09, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 25
We visit with Megan Kilgore, City Auditor for the City of Columbus, Ohio. She explains the challenges and opportunities of an income tax-driven municipality; the keys to timely financial reporting; transparency and timeliness in the wake of the Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA); and the future of municipal finance, among many other topics. In Ripped from the Headlines, we discuss S&P’s warning to Santa Fe, NM following that city's chronic lateness in financial reporting.
Dec 18, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 23
We visit with Washoe County, Nevada CFO Abbe Yacoben. She describes the County's unique financial challenges and opportunities; its efforts to address housing affordability; why it's investing in election infrastructure; and how to build a career in financial leadership, among many other topics.. In Ripped from the Headlines, we talk about some analysis of the San Francisco-to-Seattle exodus.
Dec 11, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 22
We talk to Morgan Wright, a renowned expert on government tech, AI, and cybersecurity. He shares his view on tech talent in the public sector, how cities and states should think about tech infrastructure investment, and where he thinks AI can help or hurt governments. In Ripped from the Headlines, we talk about a story giving more details about a growing interest in the public sector in hiring private sector tech talent, and what that might mean for the future of tech in the public sector....
Dec 04, 2023•42 min•Season 2Ep. 21
We visit with Travis Ahern, Town Administrator of Holliston, Massachusetts. He explains the challenges and opportunities of other post-employment benefit (OPEB) liabilities, Holliston's approach to funding OPEB, how OPEB and pensions are both alike and unlike, and why "soft liabilities" matter to credit ratings, among many other topics. In Ripped from the Headlines, we talk about the State of Connecticut’s progress on pension funding and ongoing challenges with OPEB funding.
Nov 27, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 20
