Shelly Sigo

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.

In a review of Mississippi’s ratings released on Friday, Standard & Poor’s said the state’s AA general obligation debt rating reflected a strong financial position because of healthy reserves, despite decreased revenue collections for fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2010.

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin said Monday that she has recommended the City Council approve legislation that would extend the lease between Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Delta Air Lines covering gates and other space for seven years, ensuring that the world’s busiest airport does not lose its largest hub airline.

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance extending the city’s lease with the Birmingham Airport Authority giving it nine more years to operate Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport and allowing it to issue debt for improvements.

Bill Johnson, a Republican candidate for governor in Alabama, said he plans to propose that the state create a Bond and Public Financing Oversight Commission.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Gwinnett County Water and Sewerage Authority in Georgia today plans to competitively sell $271.8 million of rare gilt-edged water and sewer bonds that are enhanced by a double-barreled pledge of system revenues and the county’s full faith and credit.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Florida sold its first competitively bid taxable Build America Bonds last week, saving the state a considerable sum, said Ben Watkins, who has now become a solid believer in the federal stimulus bond program.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The first primary election is still nine months away in Alabama, but Jefferson County’s troubled finances already have emerged as a major issue among some candidates eager to replace Republican Gov. Bob Riley, who will be term-limited out of office next year.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Financial closing on the $1 billion Port of Miami Tunnel project has been delayed at least a week so that Miami commissioners can act on a $50 million letter of credit at their next meeting on Oct. 8.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour last Friday warned lawmakers to be cautious in approving agency budget requests. Barbour said in a letter to top legislators that he had learned many agencies submitted budget requests for increased funding over their fiscal 2010 levels.

Atlanta officials last week said a preliminary assessment showed 474 homes were affected by recent flooding and approximately 1,900 residents sought some level of federal assistance.