Paul Burton

Massachusetts can claim good public relations and possibly a moral high ground with its enhanced disclosure initiatives, but what tangible benefits do they bring?

The closing of Harrisburg, Pa.'s financial recovery plan "is not the end of anything," according to state-appointed receiver William Lynch.

Scott Stringer announced eight members of New York City comptroller team including Carol Kostik, who will remain as deputy comptroller for public finance.

BNY Mellon has agreed to reimburse Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management $15.6 million related to foreign currency exchange overcharges, PRIM's board said.

Proceeds from two bond deals designed to keep Harrisburg, Pa., out of bankruptcy fell "well within the range" of projected revenues, said receiver William Lynch.

The Harrisburg receivership team and many related parties anticipate closing a recovery plan aimed at keeping Pennsylvania's capital city out of bankruptcy.

New York City's near-term fiscal outlook appears strong but uncertainties hover beyond that, according to the Independent Budget Office watchdog organization.

Holders of $238 million of defaulted bonds issued to build garages near Yankee Stadium have agreed to continue negotiations in the hopes of a soccer stadium at the site, according to bond documents.

Queens rebounded strongly from the recession over the past two years, according to an economic snapshot of the New York City borough by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

New York's MTA approved $2.3 billion in new-money bonds and hired PFM Group and Mohanty Gargiulo as financial advisor and swap advisor, respectively.

New York City Comptroller John Liu, in his final state of the city speech, said his audit bureau uncovered nearly $1 billion that belongs to New Yorkers.

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved a $13.5 billion budget and four-year plan, but tabled a $25 million proposal for service restoration.

Gina Raimondo, Rhode Island's general treasurer the past three years and the architect of pension overhaul legislation in that state, will run for governor in 2014.

Pension shortfalls are not math problems, but "complex challenges requiring thoughtful solutions, politically challenging to implement," PFM said in a report on the white-hot topic.

Final closing for the purchase of the Harrisburg, Pa., incinerator by Lancaster County is set for Dec. 23 after the agency sold about $130 million of bonds to fund the transaction.

For new Mayor Bill de Blasio, managing New York City's finances will involve more than the well-known challenges expired labor contracts and soaring health premiums.

Additional guidance from the SEC should provide some clarity to how the proposed trading restrictions under its new municipal advisor registration rule apply to municipal issuers, a securities industry official said.

Improved issuer disclosure breeds investor confidence which in turn boosts Massachusetts' bond ratings, according to state Treasurer Steven Grossman.

New York-based attorney Kent Rowey, who advises on public-private partnerships said bond deals in Allentown and Harrisburg, Pa., "disappointed" him as P3 projects.

New York's City Council approved a proposal to build a hockey and figure-skating center at the site of the former Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx.