GFOA is always on the lookout for news items that will be useful for finance professionals, research that might help you do your job better, and legal and regulatory updates you need to know about. Check the GFOA news page for the updates and any relevant GFOA announcements, and see the GFOA Newsletter archive for back issues of our weekly electronic newsletter.
News
News
GFOA Awards Jeffrey L. Esser Career Development Scholarship
(Chicago, Illinois – April 3, 2018) Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has announced the recipients of its 2018 scholarships. GFOA’s mission is to promote excellence in state and local government financial management and the awarding of scholarships is one of the ways GFOA accomplishes its mission.
The recipients of the three awards for the Jeffrey L. Esser Career Development Scholarship are Celia King, Larissa Mendez, and Amy Miller. Each will receive $5,000.
GFOA Awards Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship
(Chicago, Illinois – April 3, 2018) Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has announced the recipients of its 2018 scholarships. GFOA’s mission is to promote excellence in state and local government financial management and the awarding of scholarships is one of the ways GFOA accomplishes its mission.
GFOA Awards 2018 Scholarships
(Chicago, Illinois – April 3, 2018) Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has announced the recipients of its 2018 scholarships. GFOA’s mission is to promote excellence in state and local government financial management and the awarding of scholarships is one of the ways GFOA accomplishes its mission.
GFOA Awards Goldberg-Miller Public Finance Scholarship
(Chicago, Illinois – April 3, 2018) Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has announced the recipients of its 2018 scholarships. GFOA’s mission is to promote excellence in state and local government financial management and the awarding of scholarships is one of the ways GFOA accomplishes its mission.
GFOA Awards Frank L. Greathouse Government Accounting Scholarship
(Chicago, Illinois – April 3, 2018) Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has announced the recipients of its 2018 scholarships. GFOA’s mission is to promote excellence in state and local government financial management and the awarding of scholarships is one of the ways GFOA accomplishes its mission.
The recipients of the two awards for the Frank L. Greathouse Government Accounting Scholarship are Erika Jex and Timothy Kelly. Each will receive $10,000.
GFOA Awards Government Finance Professional Development Scholarship
(Chicago, Illinois – April 3, 2018) Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has announced the recipients of its 2018 scholarships. GFOA’s mission is to promote excellence in state and local government financial management and the awarding of scholarships is one of the ways GFOA accomplishes its mission.
Tackling the Problem of Health-Care Costs
Everyone knows that health-care benefits are expensive, usually an employer’s second-biggest expense after payroll. Employers are therefore looking at a number of strategies to keep these costs sustainable.
Betsy Myers to Deliver Monday Keynote Address at GFOA’s 112th Annual Conference in St. Louis
Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) 112th Annual Conference will be held May 6─9, 2018, at America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Missouri. Betsy Myers, leadership expert, speaker, consultant, and author of Take the Lead: Motivate, Inspire, and Bring out the Best in Yourself and Everyone Around You, will be GFOA’s keynote speaker on May 7, 9:00–10:10 am.
Debt Committee Updates Green Bonds White Paper
The GFOA Committee on Governmental Debt Management has recently updated GFOA White Paper: Green Bonds. The paper helps issuers understand the general characteristics, costs, risks, and benefits of entering into these types of transactions.
Thomas L. Friedman to Speak at GFOA’s 112th Annual Conference in St. Louis
Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) 112th Annual Conference will be held May 6─9, 2018, at America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Missouri. Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times foreign affairs columnist, Pulitzer Prize winner, and bestselling author will be GFOA’s keynote speaker on May 8, 8:30–10:00 am.
Shawn Achor to Speak at GFOA’s 112th Annual Conference in St. Louis
(Chicago, Illinois January 12, 2018)
Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) 112th Annual Conference will be held May 6─9, 2018, at America’s Center Convention Complex in St. Louis, Missouri. Shawn Achor will be the first of three keynote presenters at the conference. Achor will speak to all GFOA conference delegates and their guests on May 6, 3:50─5:00 pm (Welcome Reception to follow in America’s Center Convention Complex).
GFOA Members Recognized
Michael Bryant, who is management and budget director for Mecklenburg County (North Carolina) Government and GFOA Executive Board member, was awarded the 2017 A. John “Jack” Vogt Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Advancement of Local Government Budgeting and Evaluation. The award is presented by the North Carolina Local Government Budget Association and recognizes innovators in advancing budget and evaluation practices.
GFOA Releases Guide on Best Practices in Community College Budgeting
Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) latest guide, Best Practices in Community College Budgeting, provides a comprehensive budget process framework focused on alignment of resources and desired student outcomes. The framework represents the culmination of a multi-year effort led by GFOA, with input from numerous community college officials and other experts in education finance, to develop guidelines for better budgeting, tailored specifically for community colleges.
Executive Board Application Process
GFOA's Executive Board Nominating Committee is seeking candidates to fill five at-large positions and the position of president-elect for GFOA. All candidates must be active GFOA members and would serve three-year terms beginning in May 2018. Please apply online using the link below by January 5, 2018. For questions on the applicaiton process, please contact Chris Morrill, CEO/Executive Direcor for GFOA.
Your Help Is Still Needed in Washington, D.C.; Municipal Bonds at Risk
Tax Reform Bill Released, House Ways and Means Begins Markup Process
On November 2, 2017, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) released the much-anticipated tax reform bill H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The comprehensive draft proposes substantial changes to the federal tax code governing individuals and corporations. As expected, the committee began the process of marking up the bill (i.e., considering potential changes) on November 6. When the process is completed, the bill is expected to go to the floor for a vote before the full House of Representatives.
GFOA Announces Members of Next Group of Alliance for Excellence in School Budgeting
(Chicago, Illinois November 1, 2017)
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) announced new members of its Alliance for Excellence in School Budgeting. The Alliance is composed of 38 school districts working with GFOA to implement the Best Practices in School Budgeting. Alliance members include districts from 20 states across the United States serving anywhere from several hundred students to over two hundred thousand students.
Alliance members include:
CA
- Oakland Unified School District
CO
22nd Annual Governmental GAAP Update
(Chicago, Illinois – October 3, 2017) Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) will offer its 22nd Annual Governmental GAAP Update web-stream event on November 2, 2017, and again on December 7, 2017, and January 18, 2018, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm (Eastern). The training will provide comprehensive coverage of the most recent developments in accounting and financial reporting for state and local governments, including:
GFOA Approves New Best Practices
(Chicago, Illinois – October 4, 2017) Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Executive Board recently approved seven best practices and advisories in the areas of treasury and investment management, retirement and benefits, municipal debt disclosure and economic development. GFOA best practices identify specific policies and procedures that contribute to improved government management. They aim to promote and facilitate positive change rather than merely to codify current accepted practice.
New and revised best practices include:
GFOA Responds to GASB Exposure Draft
GFOA sent a letter to the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) in response to the GASB’s Exposure Draft (ED) of Implementation Guide No. 201X-Z, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions (and Certain Issues Related to OPEB Plan Reporting). GFOA supports the GASB providing more guidance to preparers of financial statements through implementation guides.
Next Stop for Remote Sales Tax Collection Challenge: U.S. Supreme Court
In 1992, the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Quill Corp. v. North Dakota stipulated that states cannot require retailers that don’t have an in-state physical presence to collect sales tax.
GFOA Responds to GASB Exposure Draft
GFOA supports the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Exposure Draft (ED), Certain Disclosures Related to Debt, including Direct Borrowings and Direct Placements, because it brings more transparency to the users of financial statements. GFOA applauds the GASB for providing a definition of debt that will allow preparers can differentiate between debt and other liabilities for financial reporting purposes.
Washington DC Update – Now is the Time to Act on Tax Reform
What Can You Do?
GFOA Submits Letter on IRS Political Subdivision Proposed Regulation
In 2016, many GFOA member organizations responded to proposed regulation that would redefine political subdivisions according to the Internal Revenue Service. These proposed regulations would make it difficult for authorities to issue tax-exempt bonds.