Infrastructure News from Bond Buyer

Transit systems have to adjust to a new ridership reality, but some have reoriented service and prevented operating challenges from becoming credit problems.

Participants in a power panel at The Bond Buyer's Infrastructure conference discussed current trends and the way forward for public power.

The federal infrastructure program would bring a fresh source of revenue for states and railroads.

The American Society of Civil Engineers lowered its infrastructure grade for North Carolina to C-minus this year from C; three other Southeast states improved.

With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding sunsetting at the end of the month, the American Public Transportation Association is staging a fly-in to lobby for advance appropriations.

Chicago will be a regional water supplier, and its water could draw the next Great Migration, Department of Water Management Commissioner Randy Conner said.

That will help manage supply that could hit a record for a third consecutive year, investors said.

Proposed federal grant rules and dwindling aid are among the factors that municipal market participants should be tracking, said panelists at The Bond Buyer's infrastructure conference.

The incoming Bond Buyer Hall of Famer built public finance businesses at U.S. Bank and Academy Securities by combining experienced teams, issuer trust and a clear reason for clients to choose a new franchise.

A proposal for raising tax revenue includes eliminating the tax exemption for municipal bonds, a fundamental part of the muni market.

The incoming Bond Buyer Hall of Famer repeatedly brought financial discipline and long-term thinking to public entities before helping them tackle some of Indiana's most complex infrastructure financings.

Water issues are getting attention on Capitol Hill as questions about reauthorizing state revolving funds and the impact of data centers on ground water supplies are mixing with politics.

The Alabama Toll Road, Bridge and Tunnel Authority is bringing $3.7 billion of bonds and notes to finance a bridge and fund I-10 improvements in Mobile.

State and local issuers should expect cuts in transit and rail projects over the short term, transportation advocates said.

Rating analysts are tracking the potential departure of the DuPage Water Commission, the largest wholesale customer of Chicago's water enterprise.

"We are going to continue to grow strategically where we feel we can add value to our clients," said Beth Coolidge, Oppenheimer's head of public finance.

For the 25th year, The Bond Buyer editorial board will identify and recognize the year's most outstanding municipal finance transactions. The deadline for nominations is Friday, October 2.

The airspace surrounding Washington D.C. is expected to absorb more flights in the near future as the Washington Manassas Airport in Virginia has cleared an environmental assessment by the FAA.

Investors interested in the additional yield offered in prepay energy deals should be aware of their corporate exposure as well as the sector's broader risk to the muni market, participants said.

Brightline West bondholders agreed to give Brightline more time to secure a $400 million equity contribution that was originally due on March 31.