Ted Phillips

The New York Legislature yesterday offered an ethics and campaign finance reform package with much less punch than a proposal offered by Gov. David Paterson last week.

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to repeat a novel approach to accessing low rates at a time when liquidity costs makes traditional variable-rate financing pricey.

The expiration two years ago of the law allowing the 116 industrial development agencies in New York to sell bonds on behalf of nonprofits is changing the landscape for borrowers and issuers.

The Empire State Development Corp., one of New York’s largest issuers of bonds, could be merged with the state Department of Economic Development under a proposal announced by Gov. David Paterson yesterday. The new entity would be called the Job Development Corp.

The risk of a downgrade to New York’s general obligation debt isn’t being priced into the state’s bonds, an investment management firm said in a report released Friday.

Two of New York’s top affordable housing officials have landed at private firms after announcing their resignations from public posts last month.

Connecticut is tapping new bond programs to set the stage for a large-scale waterfront development in Stamford.

New York City Comptroller John Liu last week announced major appointments to his office, including a new chief investment officer.

New York State and New York City’s borrowing authorities plan to issue up to $5.72 billion of debt in the first quarter, of which $4.83 billion will be new money, according to a forward issuance calendar released by the state comptroller’s office last week.

Gov. John Baldacci last week nominated two new board members to the Maine State Housing Authority. He also reappointed the agency’s director, Dale McCormick, and two standing board members. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority should prioritize which services could be restored if the New York Legislature finds additional funding, a state lawmaker said at a hearing yesterday.

New York Gov. David Paterson yesterday called on the Legislature to change the way it crafts budgets in order to address the state’s fiscal mess.

Law firms and financial advisory firms could be banned from making campaign contributions to candidates for New York State offices under a proposal from Gov. David Paterson.

The Rhode Island General Assembly began its 2010 session yesterday, but tackling the state’s $218 million current fiscal year deficit was not on the agenda.

Gary Dellaverson, chief financial officer of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, retired last week after 19 years at the agency.

Across the country and in New York City, museums and other cultural institutions are trying to cope with lower revenue brought on by big declines in donations and losses on investments even as admissions hold steady.

Incoming New York City Comptroller John Liu is keeping deputy comptroller for public finance Carol Kostik in her current job of working with the mayor’s budget office to put together the city’s bond deals.

Gov. Donald Carcieri’s pick to run the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp. withdrew her nomination last week, citing a family member’s health issues, according to a press release.

Standard & Poor’s upgraded the Palisades School District’s general obligation debt to AA from A-plus last week, citing the district’s “continually strong financial position.”

Deborah VanAmerongen, commissioner of the State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, will resign effective Jan. 15, Gov. David Paterson announced last week.