Paul Burton

Two Pennsylvania lawmakers on Tuesday began fast-tracking legislation that would enable a takeover of capital city Harrisburg and authorize Gov. Tom Corbett to declare a state of emergency.

Moody's Investors Service Tuesday downgraded Lackawanna County, Pa., five notches to a speculative-grade Ba3 from Baa1.

Moody's Investors Service Tuesday downgraded Lackawanna County, Pa., five notches to a speculative-grade Ba3 from Baa1.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has some tailwinds at its back Tuesday when it sells a record $1 billion of taxable 40-year bonds to finance World Trade Center reconstruction.

Six finalists are in the running for a contract to privatize Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnership Authority and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority have announced.

An ambitious proposal for a hotel and conference center adjacent to the new Yankee Stadium would require demolition of an underused parking garage that helps back a troubled parking revenue bond deal.

A website devoted to open government in Vermont has additional information about state contractor expenses.

Moody’s Investors Service has affirmed the A3 rating for Burlington, Vt.’s $63.2 million of general obligation bonds, while maintaining a negative outlook.

Supporters of the library in bankrupt Central Falls, R.I. have scheduled a “Save the Library” fundraiser for Sept. 30 to help keep it open.

The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York has approved $1.5 billion in financing for education and health care.

The Hudson Yards Infrastructure Corp. expects to price $1 billion of new- money bonds the week of Oct. 17 to benefit the extension of the No. 7 subway line in New York City’s transit system from its current terminus on Eighth Avenue to the Hudson Yards redevelopment area.

Revenues for the first five months of fiscal 2011-12 are $3.3 billion higher than last year, but remain $75.5 million below projections for an updated financial plan that’s operating on a “razor-thin margin,” according to New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s cash report for August.

Standard & Poor’s raised the rating on Massachusetts qualified bonds to AA from AA-minus, with a stable outlook. The qualified bond program boosts communities with marginal credit ratings by paying their debt service directly from state appropriations.

Standard & Poor’s affirmed its AAA long-term rating on Yale University revenue bonds issued through the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, as well as the AAA long-term rating and A-1-plus short-term rating on various long- and short-term debt issued by and for the university.

The state-appointed receiver running Central Falls, R.I., introduced his five-year reorganization plan for the bankrupt city on Thursday.

Navjeet Bal will join law firm Nixon Peabody LLP as counsel on Oct. 3, but the outgoing Massachusetts revenue commissioner is no stranger to private practice, having worked in the public finance group of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo PC for 17 years.

New York City plans to issue $650 million of new-money general obligation bonds next week, followed by additional transactions in October to restructure its variable-rate portfolio.

For years, John Bonow learned under John White while rising through the ranks at PFM Group.

The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority plans to sell $260 million of fixed-rate, tax-exempt Series A revenue bonds for Hartford HealthCare Corp. on Thursday, following a one-day retail order period.

Armed with an upgrade, Massachusetts will go to market Wednesday with $475 million of general obligation bonds.