Paul Burton

Altoona has received a $519,000 grant to support new technologies that will help the financially distressed city implement its financial recovery plan.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Krancer will leave to rejoin the Philadelphia office of Blank Rome LLP.

Women-owned Stern Brothers & Co. opened an office in New York City, is 15th location, and hired investment banker Donna LoCascio.

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority awarded the first contract to a company participating in its new federal small business mentoring program.

Uncertainty from labor contracts to bond interest rates could pressure New York City's finances and skewer projections, according to the Independent Budget Office.

Gov. Deval Patrick's administration, acting on a provision of the 2009 Massachusetts transportation overhaul law, has named a panel to explore P3 deals.

Standard & Poor's cited a "windfall settlement" with Google Inc. in raising North Providence, R.I.'s general obligation bond rating two notches to BBB-plus

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Secretary-Treasurer J. William Lincoln resigned from the panel in the aftermath of a grand jury report over pay to play.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill that would replace hundreds of state-owned liquor stores and privatize the industry.

The New York City Transitional Finance Authority sold $1 billion in new money and refunding bonds, including $650 million new money, $250 million refunding and $100 million in taxable qualified school construction bonds.

A proposal by state officials for a municipal road and bridge revolving fund brings under-the-radar Rhode Island Clean Water Finance Agency to the forefront.

Providence, R.I., Mayor Angel Taveras talks about his efforts to avert the risk of bankruptcy by narrowing the budget deficit and pushing through pension and retirement benefit overhauls.

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl is challenging the nonprofit status of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania's largest employer.

Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox and Treasurer Gina Raimondo will introduce legislation to provide a funding stream for local infrastructure investment.

While the need for struggling cities to act now is a common refrain, roadblocks such as state laws often stand in the way.

Massachusetts unveiled its tech-friendly www.massbondholder.com web site two days before its $525 million general obligation bond sale.

Michigan Treasurer Andy Dillion could not pinpoint Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr's biggest challenge, but said reaction to Orr's appointment has been positive.

Solutions to municipal distress are as complex as the problem is widespread, panelists say at The Bond Buyer conference in Providence.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee and state General Treasurer Gina Raimondo touted Rhode Island's work with struggling communities Monday morning at The Bond Buyer's symposium on distressed municipalities.

New York City Comptroller John Liu formally announced his candidacy for mayor, looking to become the first Asian-American to hold that office.