Caitlin Devitt

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.