Michelle Kaske

Moody’s Investors Service last week downgraded the New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank’s 1978 resolution bonds to Aa3 from Aa2, affecting $660.8 million of outstanding debt, as the rating agency has a new rating methodology for pooled debt programs. The outlook is stable.

Pennsylvania’s final 2010 bond deal, a $1 billion new-money transaction that includes taxable Build America Bonds, is on hold as elected officials seek additional information before approving the borrowing.

Philadelphia plans to sell $275 million of debt in early December, including $69 million of taxable Build America Bonds, following a Moody’s Investors Service downgrade to A2 from A1.

NEW YORK - Moody’s Investors Service Wednesday downgraded Philadelphia’s general obligation credit to A2 from A1, affecting $3.85 billion of outstanding GO and parity debt. The outlook is stable.

Pittsburgh City Council President Darlene Harris Tuesday introduced a resolution that would direct additional parking-fee revenue into the city’s pension fund to help boost its funding level and ward off a potential state takeover.

Pennsylvania’s General Assembly passed a pension bill Monday to help the state lower retirement contribution costs that otherwise would increase by more than $2 billion in fiscal 2013.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker Friday announced that Julien Neals will serve as acting business administrator for New Jersey’s largest city, effective Monday.

The gilt-edged New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust Tuesday will sell $130 million of tax-exempt debt by competitive bid to help finance water infrastructure needs throughout the state.

Piper Jaffray & Co. issued a report last week warning of the potential investment risks in Puerto Rico if it does not address its pension fund challenges.

The Harrisburg Authority Monday night is set to vote on allocating up to $3 million to the city of Harrisburg that, if approved, would give Pennsylvania’s capital a much-needed liquidity boost.

New York City-based law firm Cravath, Swaine and Moore LLP will advise Harrisburg’s City Council on its options for either filing for bankruptcy or entering into Pennsylvania’s distressed communities program, called Act. 47.

Puerto Rico officials are looking to sell on Nov. 23 up to $350 million of tax-exempt general obligation bonds that will restructure debt and refinance variable-rate bonds.

The New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority approved the appointment Monday of James Stephen Poole, a former director of the state’s Office of Public Finance, to head the higher-educational bonding agency.

New Jersey Transit and Amtrak are in preliminary discussions to improve passenger rail service between New Jersey and Manhattan following New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s termination of a $9.4 billion commuter-rail tunnel that was the nation’s largest public transportation project.

Harrisburg last week made a debt-service payment of $305,952 due Nov. 15 on Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority bonds that the city guarantees.

The Essex County Improvement Authority this week may vote on an $89 million real-estate lease-back bond deal that will help Newark balance its 2010 budget.

Standard & Poor's last week changed the outlook on Atlantic City to negative from stable as New Jersey's gambling center addresses property-tax appeals and restrictions on its ability to generate additional revenue. The agency rates the city A.

A plan to enter Pittsburgh's parking facilities into a long-term lease agreement with a private operator came back to life Thursday after a City Council member moved to revise the deal.

New Jersey is looking for underwriters to work on a school construction bond refinancing that officials anticipate bringing to market this fall.

Dauphin County, Pa., Commissioners Wednesday approved a contingent $34.7 million loan from PNC Bank to pay off Harrisburg Authority incinerator notes that will come due on Dec. 15.