Get info-tained with Long Story Short
Congress and the president get a lot of national press, but state and local governments have a much more direct impact on our daily lives. The schools we send our kids to, the roads we drive, the subways we ride, and the parks we visit are largely paid for and managed by states and localities.
Here, you’ll learn about how and why certain trends are happening in states and localities across the country—and how that could affect the cost of government (and ultimately your pocketbook). Writing about government budgets, taxation and spending comes with a steep learning curve and most local media will provide the immediate basics but often without insight and context. I got that in spades.
I stumbled into writing about public finance and love it—but I know how it looks to everybody else. I hate jargon and avoid it at all costs.
My writing is grounded in fact and my insights are based on nearly two decades of covering state and local government spending.
I won’t waste your time. It’s a lot harder to home in on the vitals and write short than it is to dump all my notes into a newsletter. You’ll learn the key points and can click on the links I provide if you want to read more.
This newsletter is mostly free. I just want to share my love of this weird world and hopefully demystify at least some fiscal policy basics for readers.
Want something wonkier? Paid subscribers get municipal market insights. For $50 a year, you’ll get extra newsletters on news and trends affecting the municipal bond market, including the Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA).
Want even more? Sign up to be a Sustaining Member and I’ll feature you or a topic of your choosing in a newsletter.
To find out more about me and what I do, visit my personal website farmersfieldonline.com.
