JANUARY FISCAL REPORTING PROGRAM
MONDAY January 6, 2025
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Welcome and Introductions
10 a.m. – 3:00: Budgets A to Z with Greg David (includes lunch break).
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 A case study: The Chicago Schools Budget mess. AD Quig
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Group dinner
TUESDAY January 7
9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Bonds 101 Greg
9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: How States and Cities Raise Money: All You Need to Know About the Bond Market with Matt Fabian
12:15 to 1:00 Writing bonds stories with Heather Gillers, WSJ
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Lunch break
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.: Get to Know EMMA
For reporters covering state or local government, the Electronic Municipal Market Access (EMMA®) website provides free access to detailed information about the financial health of states, cities and counties, as well as many hospitals, universities, stadiums and other ventures financed by public debt. Staff from the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board will demonstrate how to find data and information on EMMA, from public finance credit ratings to comprehensive annual financial reports. This interactive session will also highlight several EMMA tools and resources that can assist reporters with monitoring state and local finances and identifying potential stories.
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 Budget workshop
WEDNESDAY January 8
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.:
The nation’s housing crisis and how to cover it
9 am to 9:30 The basics with Greg David
9:30 to 11:30 What’s happening around the country. Vicki Been, Furman Center
11:30 to 12:30 Writing housing stories and/or housing data with Conor Doughrety , NYT
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Lunch break
1:30 p.m. to 4:30
Covering the consequences of the 2024 election
THURSDAY January 9
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tax incentives and TIFS with with Arlene Martinez, Good jobs First and
A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune
1:30 to 4:00 Story workshop
4:00 to 5:00 Wrapup with Bill Glasgall;
FRIDAY January 10
9:30 a.m. – to 11:30 Wrap up with Greg David, maybe the short course on pensions
JANUARY ELECTION CONSEQUENCES PROGRAM
Thursday Jan. 23
9 am to 9:30 am
Introductions and Plan
9:3o am to 12 pm
The economy and its impact nationally and locally
12 to 1 Lunch
1 pm to 3 pm
The impact on local government finances
3:15 pm to 4:45 pm
Story workshop
5:30 to 8 Group Dinner
FRIDAY JAN. 24
9 am to 12 pm
Housing with the Republicans controlling Congress
12 pm to 1 pm Lunch
1 pm to 3:30
All the other issues
3:45 to 4:45
Story Brainstorming and Wrapup
