Scott Sowers
@scottdsowers.bsky.social
Writer/Editor/Journalist:
Currently stationed with the D.C. Bureau of The Bond Buyer. I also write about real estate, design, energy, and cars.
Currently stationed with the D.C. Bureau of The Bond Buyer. I also write about real estate, design, energy, and cars.
House tackles housing -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/housing...
Housing bill advances
By an overwhelming bipartisan majority, the House advanced affordable housing legislation that includes a proposal that's expected to spur mortgage revenue bond issuance.
www.bondbuyer.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:18 PM
House tackles housing -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/housing...
Shall we reconcile -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/reconci...
Reconciliation could pose threat to tax exemption
Public finance advocates are trying to interpret mixed signals about plans to pass a major reconciliation bill that could put the threat to the tax-exempt status of munis back on the table.
www.bondbuyer.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Shall we reconcile -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/reconci...
Good news from Indian Country -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/tribes-...
Tribes reacting to final Treasury regulations
Native American Tribes are culling through new rules from the U.S. Treasury Department that could boost economic development.
www.bondbuyer.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Good news from Indian Country -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/tribes-...
Teamwork makes the dream work -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/sec-duf...
Sec. Duffy and Gov. Moore building bridges
A squabble between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the state of Maryland appears to be moving towards a resolution which effects two major bridges in the Washington D.C. – Baltimore region.
www.bondbuyer.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Teamwork makes the dream work -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/sec-duf...
All about the PFAS -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/issuers...
Issuers looking for help with PFAS
Attorneys and lawmakers are working through questions from clients and water authorities about finalized drinking water rules by the EPA regarding "forever chemicals."
www.bondbuyer.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:45 PM
All about the PFAS -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/issuers...
I've been trying to avoid writing anything about AI since the hoopla started but my streak is now at an end.
December 12, 2025 at 3:54 PM
I've been trying to avoid writing anything about AI since the hoopla started but my streak is now at an end.
Hitting the ROAD -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/housing...
Housing bill dropped from NDAA
Legislation to increase the affordable housing supply which often includes bond sales is getting attention in Congress as the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act hits a speed bump.
www.bondbuyer.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Hitting the ROAD -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/housing...
Changing of the guard -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/virgini...
Virginia eyeing budget challenges
A budget forecast prepared by the Virginia House Appropriations Committee shows tightening financial constraints in 2026 —including a higher cap on state and local tax deductions — could result in the...
www.bondbuyer.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Changing of the guard -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/virgini...
Happy Election Day -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/redistr...
Redistricting favors a rightward shift in tax policy
As more states move towards resetting their Congressional districts questions arise over how redistricting will affect the balance of power and eventually tax policy.
www.bondbuyer.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Happy Election Day -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/redistr...
Gambling on arbitrage -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/arbitra...
Arbitrage opportunities and challenges
Higher interest rates are keeping arbitrage on the playing field as issuers try to play by the rules and still come out ahead.
www.bondbuyer.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Gambling on arbitrage -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/arbitra...
Such a deal -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/marylan...
Maryland DOT comes to market with $842.7 million deal
The Department of Transportation is offering its Consolidated Transportation Bonds in a competitive sale Wednesday to what promises to be a receptive market.
www.bondbuyer.com
October 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Such a deal -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/marylan...
Happy Shutdown Day -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/shutdow...
Shutdown raises stakes for cities
Pausing federal funding creates another hardship for municipalities who are also reeling from infrastructure grants being clawed back by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
www.bondbuyer.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Happy Shutdown Day -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/shutdow...
OBBA strikes again -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/marylan...
Maryland takes another financial hit due to federal law
Maryland's comptroller reports the state is projecting a $189 million drop in general fund revenue due to the unfolding effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which could result in the state decou...
www.bondbuyer.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
OBBA strikes again -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/marylan...
Hello OBBBA -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/states-...
States bracing for budget disruptions
Special budget sessions, falling tax revenues and provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are combining with tariffs and cuts to the federal workforce to create headaches for the states.
www.bondbuyer.com
September 3, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Hello OBBBA -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/states-...
Who is paying for what -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/d-c-pol...
D.C. police takeover raises public finance questions
President Trump's move to take over the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department by deploying the National Guard is spawning a request to Congress to establish a security fund that could also be...
www.bondbuyer.com
August 18, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Who is paying for what -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/d-c-pol...
Such a deal -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/virgini...
Virginia Port Authority bonds finance upfront rent payment
The Virginia Port Authority will sell bonds to finance upfront rent payments for the privately owned Virginia International Gateway.
www.bondbuyer.com
August 12, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Such a deal -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/virgini...
A different take on retirement -> Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/w...
Eleven Women, Nine Dogs, Not Much Drama (and No Guys)
www.nytimes.com
August 7, 2025 at 5:29 PM
A different take on retirement -> Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/w...
Such a deal -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/washing...
Washington, D.C., City Council approves stadium deal
The council voted to preliminarily approve a $3.7 billion deal that will return an NFL team to play games inside the city limits while committing over $1 billion in taxpayer money.
www.bondbuyer.com
August 5, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Such a deal -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/washing...
Old King Coal -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/study-s...
Study suggests coal decline tied to rising bond yields
A new study indicates that the transition from coal to natural gas is resulting in deteriorating fiscal health in some communities and increases municipal bond yields.
www.bondbuyer.com
July 24, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Old King Coal -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/study-s...
Such a deal -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/d-c-wat...
DC Water coming to market with green bonds
The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority is selling $216.5 million of revenue refunding bonds and financing the Clean Rivers Project, a massive effort designed to reduce combined sewer overf...
www.bondbuyer.com
July 22, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Such a deal -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/d-c-wat...
I just got a pitch for a story on Brazilian potash. I have no idea what that even means. Pitch denied.
July 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I just got a pitch for a story on Brazilian potash. I have no idea what that even means. Pitch denied.
Bad news from Charm City -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/baltimo...
Baltimore outlook revised to negative
Moody's has downwardly revised the outlook for Baltimore's issuer rating and several classes of bonds due to a trend of declining fund balance levels in a city dependent on a major international shipp...
www.bondbuyer.com
July 10, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Bad news from Charm City -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/baltimo...
Byrd is the word -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/byrd-ru...
Byrd rule could threaten muni tax exemption
Attorneys and muni advocates are concerned as the Senate reviews the budget reconciliation process against the "Byrd Rule."
www.bondbuyer.com
June 26, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Byrd is the word -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/byrd-ru...
What to do, what to do.... -> www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
How to Invest When Everything Yields the Same
One option is to look elsewhere, outside the U.S., where some are betting on another “great convergence” among investment assets.
www.wsj.com
June 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
What to do, what to do.... -> www.wsj.com/finance/inve...