Shelly Sigo

Standard & Poor's lowered its ratings on the general revenue bonds of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to A-plus from AA-minus because of increased borrowing.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has initiated a pilot program to prop up the state's financially ailing rural hospitals.

The Kentucky House has passed major legislation that would authorize the state to use public-private partnerships.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating bonds issued in 2013 by the former scandal-ridden Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority and underwritten by Citi.

Issuers in the Southeast sold $48.8 billion of municipal bonds in 2014, according to Thomson Reuters, down 14.3% from 2013 to decline for the second consecutive year.

The New Orleans Aviation Board plans to bring $590 million of general airport revenue bonds to market Thursday amid an above-average issuance calendar.

Standard & Poor's lowered its underlying rating to BB-plus from BBB on the general obligation bonds of the Dublin School District, Ga., citing its structural budget imbalance.

Louisiana state agencies can expect "significant cuts" in the 2016 budget but Gov. Bobby Jindal is expected to recommend "structural fixes" to the spending plan.

A bill before the West Virginia Legislature would provide bond financing to build a state-owned fiber optic network to bring fast Internet service to rural areas of the state.

Litigants appealing Jefferson County's bankruptcy case want Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and Attorney General Luther Strange to join their appeal.

Moody's Investors Service has warned that Louisiana's growing budget problems will pressure finances at the state's public universities.

As taxable fixed-income rates remain near all-time lows, Kentucky is one of several states eyeing pension obligation bonds to deal with unfunded retirement obligations.

Raymond James has hired banker Todd Barnes to join the firm's public finance group in Atlanta, and to focus on issuers in Georgia and South Carolina.

A long-running debate over how to cure Jacksonville's $1.62 billion police and fire pension liability has sparked a call for an audit and state investigation into the finances of Florida's largest city.

Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's both revised Louisiana's outlook to negative on Friday citing the state's growing structural budget imbalance. The changes come ahead of an upcoming $225 million general obligation refunding deal.

Legislation aimed at allowing Georgia to take over public schools failing to achieve passing grades has been filed. The measure would require a voter-approved constitutional amendment.

Miami-Dade County plans to use a public-private partnership to build and repair its court and jail facilities. Qualifications from firms will be sought soon.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott's lack of board appointments to the Florida Development Finance Corp. calls into question its authority to issue bonds, including billions in debt it has agreed to issue.

Standard & Poor's upgraded Miami's general obligation bond ratings to A-plus from BBB citing the city's improved financial management practices and budget flexibility.

The Kentucky Senate passed a bill Feb 6 that allows for the state’s first charter schools. The measure now goes to the House.