Nora Colomer

Pittsburgh-based PNC Capital Markets has hired veteran Ohio-based banker Mark Fisher to lead its efforts there as it eyes further expansion and amplifies it pitch on bank products available to municipal clients.

Detroit announced plans to pay for higher contributions to its public safety pension fund by hiring fewer firefighters.

The Michigan State Building Authority is joining the parade of borrowers capitalizing on the market's attractive rates with plans to sell about $660 million of mostly refunding bonds next week.

South Dakota can now claim three top-level credit ratings after Moody’s Investors Service assigned an initial issuer credit rating of Aaa.

Cincinnati, Ohio-based Dinsmore & Shohl LLP has hired Michael Jackson to expand its public finance practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Congressional action on transportation helped spur an upgrade for some outstanding Michigan Garvee bonds ahead of a $613 million refunding deal.

With its books restored to order, Wayne County, Mich., says it’s ready to return to the market with $200 million of borrowing to complete its unfinished jail project in downtown Detroit.

Benton Harbor, Michigan has won release from state oversight.

Uncertainty over how bondholders will be repaid once Detroit Public Schools is split in two under the district recently approved restructuring plan has put the district’s bond ratings at risk of slipping into junk territory.

Illinois lawmakers passed a six-month stopgap spending plan Thursday that will ensure schools open this fall and state services continue through the end of the year. The plan now awaits approval from Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority is planning a post-July 4, $57 million bond offering that will be used finance the construction of a 239 room upper upscale hotel and conference center at the Madison Center development that is located 7 miles outside downtown Cincinnati.

Lawmakers convened this week at the state’s capital to negotiate a stop-gap spending plan to fund schools and other services for the state of Illinois before the fiscal year starts July 1.

Mesirow Financial is venturing into Indiana with the opening of a n office in downtown Indianapolis, and it’s hired Greg Clark to lead the effort.

In Michigan it's not just Detroit Public Schools that have fallen victim to the state's population decline. Statewide shrinking enrollment coupled with the expansion of charter schools has stretched state aid dollars and damaged school credit.

Detroit got the all clear from the city's Financial Review Commission to move ahead with a refunding of $660 million of general obligation debt.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is requesting authority from the city council to buy, among other things, junk rated Chicago Public Schools debt.

Locke Lord LLP is pushing into Ohio with the opening of an office in Cincinnati as part of an expansion of its public finance practice in the Midwest.

Wayne County, Mich. took a big leap toward leaving junk territory, winning a four notch upgrade from Fitch Ratings 10 months after entering into a state consent agreement to turn around its finances.

Detroit’s proposed refunding of $660 million of general obligation debt now moves to the city’s fiscal oversight commission for review after winning City Council approval.

Flint, Michigan won’t walk away from its participation in the $285-million bond financed pipeline the Karegnondi Water Authority is building to deliver water to the city, a decision aided by state help and other concessions, Mayor Karen Weaver said Tuesday.