Shelly Sigo

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.

Standard & Poor’s on Friday lowered its rating to AA-plus from AAA on various long-term bonds issued for the Nemours Foundation. Fitch Ratings on Sept. 21 dropped its rating on the credit to AA-plus from AAA.

Alabama’s Education Trust Fund, which collects specific taxes and fees to fund public education as a part of the state budget, enters fiscal 2010 today with a shortfall that requires budget cuts of 7.5%, known in the state as proration.

BRADENTON, Fla. - Confusion continues to surround the $1 billion Port of Miami Tunnel concession project, which was expected to reach financial close by Thursday.

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians in Florida has said that it will appeal last month's circuit court validation of $650 million of certificates of participation requested by the South Florida Water Management District to purchase land that will help restore the Everglades.

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Florida Department of Transportation has set Thursday as the ultimate deadline for financial close on the state's most unique public-private partnership - the $1 billion Port of Miami Tunnel Project. But late last week several FDOT letters to Miami officials placed in doubt, once again, whether the nation's first P3 based on availability payments would come to fruition.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Jefferson County, Ala., officials now say they are seeking a $25 million line of credit from Regions Bank to bolster government operations and return laid off employees to work.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Wills Memorial Hospital in Washington, Ga., last month sold nearly $13 million of taxable Build America Bonds with a draw-down structure and enhancements that officials believe may help other rural health-care providers access the capital markets in these difficult times.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has identified 111 bridges across the state that will be replaced, repaired, or rehabilitated through a new initiative aimed at reducing the number of structurally deficient bridges in the state.

Madison County voters last week overwhelmingly authorized the school board to issue $61 million of general obligation bonds.

Gov. Sonny Perdue Tuesday asked the Obama administration for an emergency declaration to assist the 17 Georgia counties with recovery efforts due to flooding and severe weather late last week and early this week.