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.
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...
Again with the SALT -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/salt-ca...
Higher SALT cap taking flak in the Senate
The hard-fought increase to the cap on state and local tax deductions that was instrumental to passing the House GOP tax bill is under fire in the Senate.
www.bondbuyer.com
June 6, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Again with the SALT -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/salt-ca...
I'm always amused by SMEs lobbying to be used as a source but when you ask them for a quote, they don't have time. Then they say they want to be asked again, "next time." Here's a pro tip. There won't be a next time if you don't say something this time. End of rant.
June 3, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I'm always amused by SMEs lobbying to be used as a source but when you ask them for a quote, they don't have time. Then they say they want to be asked again, "next time." Here's a pro tip. There won't be a next time if you don't say something this time. End of rant.
Always an interesting place for a layover -> wapo.st/3SvSM7C
How Denver amassed the country’s weirdest airport art collection
Public funding helps Denver International install conversation pieces like “Bluecifer” the horse and a sculpture made of luggage.
wapo.st
June 2, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Always an interesting place for a layover -> wapo.st/3SvSM7C
Mixing it up -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/marylan...
Maryland treasurer suggests dumping Moody's after downgrade
Maryland is preparing for upcoming bond sales as the state treasurer responds to a Moody's downgrade by suggesting the state part ways with the rating agency.
www.bondbuyer.com
May 28, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Mixing it up -> www.bondbuyer.com/news/marylan...
I just got a pitch through my work email for leather cleaner. Hard to fathom, pitch denied.
May 13, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I just got a pitch through my work email for leather cleaner. Hard to fathom, pitch denied.