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.”
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Having dropped the stigmatized Harrisburg Authority name, Capital Region Water of Pennsylvania is shooting for an investment-grade rating within 18 to 24 months. Meanwhile, the unrated is selling debt with the help of credit enhancement.
July 24 - New York
AlliedBarton agreed to pay more than $1.3 million to cover a prevailing-wage discrepancy, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer said.
July 23 - New York
Sonia Toledo of Wells Fargo Securities was elected president of the Municipal Forum of New York, heading an all-female slate of officers.
July 23 - New York
Stern Brothers & Co., which advised on a recent $500 million MTA bond sale, hired former New York City Councilman David Weprin and added Neal Oldendorp in New Jerey.
July 22 - Connecticut
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has honored Connecticut's Treasury Department for excellence in financial reporting
July 22 - Pennsylvania
Moody's downgrade of Pennsylvania could precede more bond rating action against Pennsylvania as unfunded pension liability hovers over the commonwealth.
July 22 -
A special commission brainstormed about the long-term prospects for New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, one of the largest municipal issuers. The authority is in need of modern thinking about how to finance and provide its services, many members said.
July 22 - Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Development Finance Agency has received a $3.9 million federal grant under the credit enhancement for charter schools facilities program.
July 18 -
Shortly after the sighs of relief that followed the Long Island Railroad labor contract announcement, skeptics questioned how it will be paid for without fare hikes or cutting into Metropolitan Transportation Authority capital funding.
July 18 -
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and negotiators announced a deal to avert a Long Island Rail Road strike that loomed three days away.
July 17 - New York
An audit by New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer lambastes the Department of Homeless Services for its handling of post -Sandy emergencies.
July 17 -
The Connecticut Bond Commission is set to approve $2.75 million for the new Barnum train station in East Bridgeport, said Gov. Dannel Malloy.
July 17 -
Keith Stokes, the former executive director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp. has withdrawn from a lawsuit against the agency's former lawyer and bond counsel over the 38 Studios fiasco.
July 17 -
New York's MTA and a consortium of eight Long Island Rail Road unions resumed contract talks four days before the unions are authorized to strike
July 16 -
New York's MTA and a consortium of Long Island Rail Road unions broke off contract talks, six days before LIRR workers are authorized to strike.
July 14 -
MassachusettsGov. Deval Patrick vetoed a line item in the $36.5 billion Massahcusetts budget that would have removed the MBTA retirement fund and its board from a sunshine law.
July 14 - Pennsylvania
A water-rate increase much lower than what it sought is a credit negative for Bethlehem, Pa., said Moody's.
July 14 -
Gov. Tom Corbett's line-item veto of Pennsylvania's $29.1 billion budget jeopardizes the Harrisburg recovery plan, said state Sen. Rob Teplitz.
July 14 -
A generous settlement with Long Island Rail Road unions could divert critical pay-as-you-go funds from critical MTA capital needs, Moody's said.
July 11 - Rhode Island
Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee nominated policy director Steve Hartford for director of administration to replace Richard Licht, who will become a judge.
July 10
