Shelly Sigo

Jefferson County, Ala., commissioners decided to move forward with a plan that is expected to increase sewer system rates for the first time in at least four years.

Former Montgomery, Ala., bond dealer Bill Blount has been moved to a halfway house to transition toward the end of his federal pay-to-play felony sentence for his role in the sale of bankrupt Jefferson County’s defaulted sewer warrants.

As the Southeast's economy slowly begins to thaw, measures on the Nov. 6 ballot reflect both fiscal conservatism and pent-up demand for education and transportation needs.

Chesapeake, Va.'s triple-B rated toll bridge deal last Wednesday saw investors chasing yield and oversubscribing the $151 million deal by more than 12 times.

After weighing which financing was least likely to provoke a third investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Miami chose a limited public offering to refinance a bank loan.

Uncertainty in the muni market is rising as Jefferson County, Ala., appeals a federal judge's decision upholding a portion of the bankruptcy code that has protected bondholders so far.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's new chief executive, Keith T. Parker, signed a five-year contract with a base salary of $320,000 a year.

Moody's Investors Service affirmed Florida's Aa1 implied general obligation bond rating, and said the state is unlikely to win a gilt-edged upgrade in the near future.

Miami-Dade County, Fla., this week prices the first of two deals that will bring nearly $1.5 billion of bonds to market within a month.

Some 113 of Florida's cities, counties, and special districts could be declared in a state of financial emergency, according to a recent assessment of fiscal 2011 audits.

Lehman Brothers Special Financing Inc. claims the trustee for Jefferson County, Ala.'s $3.2 billion of defaulted sewer warrants is improperly withholding its swap payments.

PortMiami's "Deep Dredge" harbor project will be mostly financed with bonds to ready the port for the Panama Canal expansion in early 2015. Miami-Dade County will pick up the federal costs to get the project done.

The West Virginia Legislature is considering pension reform measures as a way of dealing with a $5.6 billion liability.

Moody's Investors Service downgraded Perry County, Ky.'s general obligation bond rating to Baa2 from A3 noting dependence on volatile coal severance taxes.

A lawsuit was filed contending that public school districts in Georgia improperly used taxpayers' money to finance a campaign against a charter school ballot measure.

The Miami City Commission is expected to consider refinancing a two-year, $45 million note that is near maturity using Wells Fargo Bank NA as underwriter. The note currently is held by Wells Fargo.

The South Carolina State Infrastructure Bank picked up $67 million or 15.76% in savings from competitively refunding $425 million of revenue bonds Wednesday.

In a cross appeal brief this week, Jefferson County, Ala., argues that the bankruptcy judge erred when he allowed sewer warrant holders to be paid with the Chapter 9 case pending.

The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund plans to pursue pre-event funding during the coming months, most likely in the municipal bond market.

Fitch dropped the outlook on Forrest County General Hospital, Miss. to negative while affirming its A rating.