Shelly Sigo

Fitch Ratings on Tuesday became the third agency to withdraw its rating on $131.2 million of defaulted toll-bridge bonds issued by north Florida's Santa Rosa Bay Bridge Authority.

In the final stretch of Florida's annual session, lawmakers are taking action on a $74.5 billion state budget, bills affecting agencies with bonding authority, and subsidies to finance pro-sports stadium upgrades.

Gilt-edged Charlotte, N.C., will close May 7 on a $171 million deal that saw significant refunding savings as well as low borrowing costs at pricing, according to Treasurer Scott Greer.

Kentucky Treasurer Todd Hollenbach is asking residents of the state to urge their congressional representatives to save the tax-exemption on municipal bonds.

Miami-Dade County commissioners at their regular meeting May 7 will be asked to create a task force to study increasing the local sales tax to pay for needed infrastructure.

A hearing in Alabama federal court will consider a motion by Bank of New York Mellon, which wants a detailed review of bankrupt Jefferson County's sewer system finances, studies, assets, and future plans.

The National Football League Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins, both made significant headway toward public financing for major stadium projects.

Investors who bought $860.1 million of Charlotte Airport revenue bonds could be impaired by a bill in the North Carolina General Assembly, according to a bond attorney.

Years after former Alabama Gov. Bob Riley waged war to eliminate casino-like slot machines operated as electronic charity bingo games, bondholders are still in court fighting to salvage their investments.

The Santa Rosa Bay Bridge Authority is asking Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the Santa Rosa County Commission to appoint new members so it can continue to meet.

Miami-Dade County commissioners Tuesday began the process of approving $4.24 billion of bonds to finance water and sewer system capital improvements and repairs mostly related to a consent decree.

Bankrupt Jefferson County, Ala., is looking for a new head staff attorney after county commissioners secured the involuntary retirement of Jeff Sewell.

Bankruptcy Judge Thomas Bennett ruled that Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. cannot proceed with its lawsuit against JPMorgan in New York state court because it involves bankrupt Jefferson County, Ala.

The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Finance Corp. sold $2 billion of taxable bonds Wednesday that were oversubscribed by investors looking for yield, and at interest rates below what the agency anticipated.

The legal work in municipal offerings is serious business, but there were few dull moments when bond attorney Elise Judelle was on the deal. Judelle, one of Florida's first female bond attorneys, retired March 29.

The Securities and Exchange Commission objects to further delay in the 2009 case against two JPMorgan bankers charged with bribing Jefferson County, Ala., commissioners and broker-dealers to win business.

The Miami Dolphins have reached agreement with Miami-Dade County for partial public funding of a nearly $400 million stadium modernization project.

First Southwest Co. says it will protest plans by issuers who cut broker-dealers out of financial advisory work.

Janet Cowell, the state treasurer of triple-A rated North Carolina, said the state may need to issue bonds or raise new revenue to pay for infrastructure needs.

The job of selecting architects and contractors for the Atlanta Falcons' new $1 billion stadium is under way now that Invest Atlanta has approved issuing $200 million of bonds toward the project.