State Budgets and Crises: Notes for the Municipal Bond Investor

Municipal bond investors may be concerned that periods of economic stress could result in states defaulting on their debt. This fear can be exacerbated by political rhetoric, by inflammatory reporting, or even by inherent suspicion of the efficacy of governments. Yet states have successfully managed through multiple economic contractions in the postwar era. As demonstrated in the past, most states will manage through this current recession using the tools available, making necessary if painful cuts in expenditures, and continuing to honor their obligations to their bondholders.