Paul Burton

Public finance officials and municipal bond analysts recalled Ed Koch, who died Friday at 88, as a passionate mayor who ran New York City as it emerged from the fiscal abyss.

Connecticut again weighs restoring highway tolls amid budgetary struggles, a raided lockbox transportation fund and less available federal money down the road.

Renewing efforts to privatize Pennsylvania's state-owned liquor stores, Gov. Tom Corbett announced a plan to sell the system and raise $1 billion for schools.

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority must consider the age of its subway system and a strained budget when considering technical enhancements, officials said.

New York's MTA said it saved $310 million by terminating three leveraged lease agreements that exposed itself to downgraded bond insurer Assured Guaranty.

Pension overhaul revived investor confidence in Rhode Island, said Treasurer Gina Raimondo, who cited positives in the state's two bond offerings in 2012.

Yale-New Haven Hospital is scheduled to come to market Thursday with a $232 million sale of revenue bonds in three series. Barclays is lead manager.

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority achieved about $1 billion in present-value savings from its 2012 refundings, according to officials.

Officials at New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority are studying the use of technology to minimize subway commuter deaths, but admit it won't come cheap.

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling intends to sell the famous bloody sock he wore during a 2004 playoff game at New York's Yankee Stadium to appease creditors of his defunct video-game company.

Pittsburgh city Controller Michael Lamb will run for mayor of Pittsburgh, challenging incumbent Luke Ravenstahl.

Kroll Bond Rating Agency may make little headway into breaking up the "big three," but it may trigger changes in operations by Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings, according to a municipal analyst.

Standard & Poor's raised its long-term rating and underlying rating on the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency's bonds issued for Clark University to A-plus from A.

Rhode Island Rep. Michael Marcello said he doesn't want public hearings on the $75 million loan guarantee to 38 Studios to interfere with a State Police probe.

New York City Comptroller John Liu launched Checkbook NYC 2.0, a website that he said opens the door into how the city spends its $70 billion annual budget.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed $142.6 billion budget for 2013-14 included some plusses for New York City and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Allentown, Pa., officials have narrowed their short list for a 50-year concession P3 lease agreement for its water and sewer systems to six companies.

While calling an $11.4 million general fund shortfall in Providence, R.I., a credit negative, Moody's praised officials for whittling down a $110 million gap.

Moody's says the West Penn Allegheny debt restructuring features "close parallels" to the bankruptcy of the teetering health system's predecessor 15 years ago.

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee's proposed $8.2 billion budget includes a corporate tax cut and a $20 million local package to help distressed communities.