Caitlin Devitt

CHICAGO - Like most cities in Ohio, Columbus is struggling with a decline in income tax revenue, its main revenue source. But unlike in other cities, officials there last month lobbied for and won an increase in the income tax rate - a move that was followed shortly by a reaffirmation of the city's coveted Aaa rating from Moody's Investors Service.

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said this week that Detroit’s financial woes threaten the county’s triple-A bond rating.

The Marion County Health and Hospital Corp. on Nov. 3 will ask voters in Indianapolis and Marion County to approve a $754 million bond proposal to finance a new facility that would replace Wishard Hospital.

CHICAGO — The Ohio Supreme Court ruled yesterday that Gov. Ted Strickland’s budget-balancing plan to install video lottery terminals at the state’s race tracks must go to voters.

CHICAGO - Kent State University in Ohio plans to enter the market tomorrow with $225 million of fixed-rate refunding bonds in a transaction that will reduce the school's variable-rate debt by nearly three-fourths and eliminate most of its outstanding swaps and letters of credit.

CHICAGO — The Omaha City Council this week approved a 2010 budget that raises property taxes 10% — most of which will go toward debt service on the city’s convention center — and includes financing for a new downtown baseball stadium.

CHICAGO - Michigan could partner with private companies to build or operate its highways and bridges to boost badly needed transportation revenue under a bill being considered by the Legislature.

CHICAGO — The Ohio Water Development Authority tomorrow will begin taking retail orders on $225 million of triple-A rated refunding revenue bonds as part of its water pollution control loan fund program.

CHICAGO — With two weeks left to craft a 2010 budget, Michigan legislators are facing fresh pressure to enact government and tax reforms that advocates say will help eliminate a $2.8 billion deficit and prevent last-minute budget-crunch scenarios in the future.

Two Republican state representatives and the Ohio Christian Alliance have filed a lawsuit with the Ohio Supreme Court challenging Gov. Ted Strickland’s executive order allowing slot machines at race tracks.

Standard & Poor’s revised its outlook to negative on two series of outstanding debt issued by Ward County on behalf of Trinity Health, the main tertiary provider in northwest North Dakota.

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport plans to install up to 22 gaming machines to lift revenue amid falling flight traffic.

Standard & Poor’s upgraded to AA-minus from A-plus general obligation debt issued by Cook County School District No. 99, which encompasses the Chicago suburb of Cicero.

CHICAGO — Moody’s Investors Service this week revised its outlook to negative on the Cleveland Clinic Health System’s debt as it prepares to enter the market next month with $800 million of fixed-rate bonds.