Shelly Sigo

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.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority hired Keith T. Parker away from the VIA transit agency in San Antonio to be its new general manager and CEO.

Fitch Ratings upgraded to AA-plus about $93 million of utility system revenue bonds of the Tohopekaliga Water Authority, Fla.

Birmingham, Ala., voters overwhelmingly approved ballot measures authorizing $150 million of general obligation bonds.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Jefferson County, Ala., said Monday that the Internal Revenue Service is examining $82.5 million of outstanding lease revenue warrants issued in 2006.

Moody's Investors Service said Monday that a rate hike on insurance premiums for customers of Florida's Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is credit positive. Citizens has about $5.4 billion of municipal debt outstanding.