Paul Burton is the Northeast Regional Editor for The Bond Buyer. His major coverage has included New York City and MTA finances; the Harrisburg, Pa., debt crisis; the 38 Studios bond financing fiasco in Rhode Island; and unfunded pension liability. Paul hosts podcasts and videos and has moderated at Bond Buyer conferences. Previously, Paul was senior editor and copy chief at M&A-oriented financial media company The Deal LLC. His award-winning career has spanned financial, sports and political journalism. A Boston native, Paul is the author of the book “Tales from the Newsrooms.” He is a frequent public speaker and has appeared as an expert on municipal debt on radio and television shows, including former CBS News White House correspondent Sharyl Attkisson’s public-affairs program, “Full Measure.”
- New York
TSASC Inc. has scheduled a $1 billion sale of tobacco settlement bonds on Nov. 16 after a one-day retail period.
November 7 -
Providence, R.I., Mayor Jorge Elorza said his city's three-notch upgrade from Fitch Ratings, to A-minus from BBB-minus, reflects a move in the right direction.
November 4 - Connecticut
Connecticut's heavy reliance on the property tax to fund pre-K through 12 public education causes spending inequities, said the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.
November 4 - Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Treasurer Timothy Reese suspended Wells Fargo from investment and trading activities for one year in the aftermath of the banks fake-accounts scandal
November 3 - Connecticut
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim joined Connecticut Comptroller Kevin Lembo to unveil an online portal that contains real-time city financial information.
November 3 - Pennsylvania
York, Pa., and its police union saved nearly $10 million in projected pension costs and helped improve the stability of its pension fund, said Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale.
November 1 - Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Treasurer Timothy Reese launched a $100 million initiative that he said would provide a competitive rate of return while supporting affordable housing.
November 1 -
New YorkNew York earned a second straight D-plus for procurement spending on minority and women-owned businesses, said city Comptroller Scott Stringer.
November 1 - Massachusetts
Revenue constraints from a limit on tax levy growth is a credit negative for several Massachusetts localities, according to Moody's Investors Service.
October 31 -
The board of New Yorks MTA approved measures intended to advance open-road electronic tolling at the authoritys crossings.
October 28 -
ConnecticutLuke Bronin ran for Hartford mayor because he didnt like what he saw in Connecticuts capital city. What he found in office was even worse, but Bronin says he can turn the city around with state and regional help.
October 28 -
Rhode IslandRhode Island's investment panel voted to terminate its investment in seven hedge funds, following Treasurer Seth Magaziner's initiative to minimize risk.
October 27 -
The opening of New York's Second Avenue subway line by year's end remains an open question, said an independent engineer.
October 27 -
New York MTAs derivatives program reduces budget risk through interest-rate and fuel-hedging strategies, said finance director Patrick McCoy.
October 26 - Rhode Island
Rhode Island's pension system returned more than $45 million for September, state General Treasurer Seth Magaziner said.
October 26 - Pennsylvania
Navigating the regulatory minefield is one of the biggest challenges facing the Mid-Atlantic muni market, officials from underwriting firms said at a Bond Buyer conference in Philadelphia.
October 25 -
Rhode IslandRhode Island is working on a debt affordability study that will include bonded debt as well as pension and OPEB liabilities, said Treasuer Seth Magaziner.
October 24 -
Bonds that funded the stalled minor-league baseball stadium in Hartford, Conn., could appeal to investors with appetite for risk, said Richard Larkin of Stoever Glass.
October 21 -
ConnecticutThe second bond-rating upgrade in 10 months for New Britain, Conn., is further proof the city is moving in the right direction, said Mayor Erin Stewart.
October 21 - Massachusetts
Underperforming pension systems and limited state flexibility are pressuring Massachusetts municipalities, said S&P.
October 19
