State and Local Governments Rush to Issue Bonds Ahead of Potential Tax Break Cuts

As Congress debates sweeping tax legislation under the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” state and local governments aren’t waiting to find out what happens next.

In the past week alone, municipal bond issuance has surged past $19 billion, pushing the year-to-date total above $220 billion, according to Bloomberg and Financial Times reporting. The sudden uptick signals growing anxiety that Congress could soon eliminate or restrict key tax exemptions—especially for private activity bonds (PABs).

Why the Rush?

Municipal bonds—especially those tied to infrastructure like hospitals, affordable housing, and transit—often benefit from federal tax-exempt status on interest income. But under the latest Congressional proposals, some of these tax breaks could be rolled back, making new debt more expensive to issue and less attractive to investors.

For governments with large infrastructure pipelines, this represents a ticking clock.

“If tax exemption goes away, the cost of borrowing goes up—and that hits schools, hospitals, and local projects the hardest,” said one municipal bond strategist in a note to clients.

States are now racing to lock in financing under the current rules, before any provisions of the federal bill take effect.

What’s at Stake in the Bill?

The House’s proposed tax-and-spending package is being debated under budget reconciliation rules, meaning it only needs a simple majority to pass the Senate.

Some of the possible changes under consideration:

• Limiting or eliminating tax-exempt status for PABs

• Imposing tighter rules on advanced refundings

• Capping the overall volume of tax-exempt debt issued annually

If any of these survive the final version of the bill, they could upend the muni bond market—particularly in high-tax states where such financing is used heavily.

Implications for Tax Professionals and Advisors

For CPAs advising public institutions, bond underwriters, or nonprofits, this surge in issuance and the uncertainty behind it requires proactive attention:

• Track bond issuance schedules for clients involved in capital planning.

• Review the tax treatment of interest income for individual and institutional investors.

• Model debt service impacts if new borrowing must shift to taxable bonds in future years.

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And for high-net-worth clients or family offices with significant muni bond holdings, it’s time to revisit assumptions about tax-free yield.

How Bizora AI Can Help

Bizora’s AI-powered research engine can now track legislative developments that directly affect municipal finance and tax-exempt interest.

Use it to:

• Get plain-English summaries of PAB-related proposals

• Generate memos for finance directors or CFOs

• Evaluate alternative tax treatment scenarios for interest income

Want to know if your clients’ bonds may be affected by upcoming tax legislation?→ Ask Bizora AI