Civic Economy Watch

Bellingham residents planning to speak at City Council meetings should note these immediate changes:

• Public comment now opens each regular meeting...

The upcoming SNAP COLA delivers just $8 more monthly for singles and $29 for a family of four—a 2.9% increase—but food-at-home costs have already...

The Fed's expected 0.25-point hike to 3.75-4% aims to tame 3.4% inflation but will tighten pressure across multiple fronts.

• Household budgets:...

Bloomberg Tax projects a 3.2% inflation adjustment to all 2027 federal tax brackets, higher than last year’s 2.7%.

This aims to curb bracket creep,...

Property tax cuts from Wyoming’s 25% homeowner exemption have reduced allocations to Sheridan County rural fire districts by up to 15.8%, forcing them...

Garland Power & Light customers will see lower electric rates starting Oct. 1, 2026, delivering modest cost-of-living relief with typical households saving about $12 per month ($144 yearly). A small but tangible win for local budgets.

• Prop 40 would impose a one-time 5% tax on net worth over $1 billion for California residents as of Dec 2026, targeting stocks, private stakes, and...

Firmer CPI and PPI prints have reversed economist forecasts, with 85% now expecting a 25bp Fed rate hike this week and at least one more by March.

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Households grew more pessimistic in early September 2026, with sentiment falling for the second straight month amid rising inflation expectations.

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Orange officials are directing staff to outline cuts if November tax measures fail, including potential layoffs and unfilled public safety roles amid...

• Forms update: New I-539 and I-765 editions mandatory from Sept 15; older versions rejected without grace period
• I-485 revision: Updated...

Sidney Public Schools lowered its overall levy from $1.20 to $1.16 after paying off its qualified capital purpose fund three years early, with the...

Fed Divisions Intensify

• 🔥 Dissenting Officials Rise: WSJ reports show the number of dissenting Federal Reserve officials at policy meetings...

Pending home sales climbed +1.8% m/m in February, topping the -0.6% estimate and prior -1% drop. Signals resilient housing demand.

Key signals ahead of FOMC:

• After three 2025 rate cuts, markets fully price no change this week.
• Dissent surging: Three officials dissented in...

Global debt risks are rising as interest rates stay high. OECD notes sovereign bond issuance hit record levels in 2025, expected near historic highs in 2026—straining government finances.

Latest BLS CPI report highlights everyday cost pressures:

• Gas prices surge
• Natural gas costs near all-time highs
• Ground beef sets new record
  Watch your pump and grocery runs.

Joe Kent, top US counterterrorism official, steps down citing Iran war concerns – marking the first major public dissent in the Trump administration since hostilities began.

Economic Indicators

• 🔥 NY Fed Services Index Drops: The NY Fed Services Index dropped by 4.5 points to -46.2, with prices charged down 1.1...

• No rate changes expected at March 17-18 meeting; focus on dot plot, inflation outlook.
• Services inflation remains high and concerning despite okay...