Hank Smith, head of Investment Strategy at Haverford Trust, discusses the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting, the coronavirus pandemic, inflation, and economic growth. He says, “at some point the Fed will have to acknowledge the economy may really take off.” Gary Siegel hosts. (Taped March 2. 26 minutes)

The House voted 220-211 to approve Senate-passed amendments midday Wednesday.

The next phase of pension risk analysis will be different and more challenging: Assessing the long-term impacts of individual jurisdictions’ choices in the context of their unique workforce demographics, benefits and salary structure, and pension funding status.

The pandemic has caused some special circumstances for state and local governments in juggling their finances. Jeffrey Previdi, the vice-chairman of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board who spent more than 20 years of his career at S&P Global Ratings, talks about what his regulatory organization has done to assist them. Previdi also talked about how GASB influences how state and local governments spend taxpayer money on such things as schools, firehouses, water treatment plants, and other infrastructure. Brian Tumulty hosts. (25 minutes)

There is no deadline for local governments or states to spend the money, with much it expected to be put to use quickly.

Two top state lawmakers, who along with Cuomo comprise the “three people in the room” that hash out the spending plan, pulled their support of the New York governor.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas and CPS Energy, the public utility of the city of San Antonio, were downgraded after the cold weather power crisis.

The legislation penalizes school districts who don't resume in-person instruction for some younger students and those most disadvantaged by online learning.