Shelly Sigo

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Kentucky State Property and Buildings Commission today expects to complete pricing $393.3 million of new-money lease revenue bonds, a large portion of which is expected to sell as taxable Build America Bonds.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The pay-to-play corruption trial of Birmingham, Ala., Mayor Larry Langford began last Monday in Tuscaloosa, and before the week ended two of the government’s star witnesses described their roles in bribing Langford while he was president of the Jefferson County commission.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Top Florida officials are considering calling a special session of the Legislature in early December to solve problems that could prevent the state from getting federal stimulus funds for a variety of rail projects.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Tennessee State Funding Board late Tuesday adopted sweeping changes to the state’s guidelines governing cities and counties that want to enter into interest rate swaps and other exotic financial transactions.

Kentucky’s preliminary unemployment rate fell to 10.9% in September, which was down from 11.2% in August, the Office of Employment and Training said Tuesday.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear last week appointed the 11 members of the new Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority.

Supporters of Florida Forever, the state’s land conservation program, have launched an effort to convince the Legislature to restart bond financing so that the state can resume purchasing land while real estate prices are low.

Fitch Ratings Tuesday downgraded to A from A-plus $114 million of Indian River County School Board’s outstanding certificates of participation. The rating outlook is stable.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Florida Hurricane ­Catastrophe Fund could be back in the bond market next year to again sell debt to pay damage claims caused by hurricanes in 2004 and 2005.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The $1 billion Port of Miami Tunnel project Thursday reached financial closing — a conclusion that took nearly four years due to economic challenges, political problems, and diminished access to credit for large transportation-related public-private partnerships.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The long-awaited pay-to-play trial of Birmingham, Ala., Mayor Larry Langford is slated to start Monday with jury selection.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has asked that a statewide grand jury be impaneled to investigate government corruption in the Sunshine state.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Alabama Public School and College Authority next week plans to sell $775.8 million of revenue bonds, much of which will refund outstanding debt associated with swap options that the issuer is challenging in federal court.

Atlanta officials announced Friday that in preparation for the upcoming sale of debt for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a due-diligence review found a number of errors in classifying expenses dating back to 2003.

Fitch Ratings last week upgraded the Hernando County School Board’s $143.4 million of outstanding certificates of participation to A-minus from BBB-plus. The rating agency also raised the school district’s general obligation credit, and its $800,000 of outstanding GOs, to A from A-minus.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Florida Department of Transportation Secretary ­Stephanie Kopelousos said this week that her agency has received the necessary letter of credit from Miami for a portion of its funding for the $1 billion Port of Miami Tunnel project.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Atlanta today expects to price $433.4 million of fixed-rate water and sewer revenue refunding bonds in one of the larger deals of its kind in this holiday-shortened week.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Just ahead of Louisiana’s $324.8 million general obligation sale later this month, Fitch Ratings on Thursday upgraded the state’s GO rating to AA-minus from A-plus.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Two appeals now have been filed contesting a Florida judge’s decision to validate $650 million of certificates of participation sought by the South Florida Water Management District to finance the purchase of U.S. Sugar Corp.’s land for Everglades restoration.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has been making the rounds across the country, telling those vying for $8 billion in federal stimulus funds for high-speed and intercity rail projects that united public and official support — and state funding — are key elements for successful applicants.