Washington News from Bond Buyer

After selling $260 million of voter-approved bonds for the project, county officials are eyeing a sales tax ballot measure in 2026 to cover the higher cost.

The U.S. and California economies will slow in early 2026, only to recover later in the year, according to the forecast.

"The county will file an appeal," Suffolk County said in the Dec. 1 EMMA filing.

The county treasurer's new report describing large hikes in Chicago residential tax bills effectively takes property tax hikes off the table for the city.

The transaction, which supports the Navajo community in Ganado, Arizona, represents a major landmark in furthering Native American health care infrastructure, overcoming hurdles tribal governments typically face in issuing municipal debt to open a replicable path to market other indigenous health systems can follow.

A budget forecast prepared by the Virginia House Appropriations Committee shows tightening financial constraints in 2026 —including a higher cap on state and local tax deductions — could result in the state's issuing bonds.

The toll road agency's financial and other practices were targeted in a November legislative study, which could lead to another round of reform legislation.

King County, Washington plans a $422.2 million competitive sale of limited tax general obligation bonds for Wednesday.

The deal combined the benefits of a green designation with a massive, highly visible airport project.

Bond issuers in the water sector are concerned about a reduction in WIFIA loan closings as some point to competition from municipal bonds as a cause for a decline in their popularity.

22 municipalities are suing the state over vehicle-license fees they say California has failed to pay them.

Moody's cited narrowing financial flexibility and declining debt service.

Moody's Ratings has put McLaren Health Care Corporation's A1 revenue bond ratings under review for downgrade after Indiana ended a key Medicaid contract with the company.

Oakland touts financial turnaround with a $335 million bond sale ahead, despite negative credit outlooks.

Nearly a trillion dollars worth of state and local government assets are now being held in Local Government Investment Pools.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif.

Moody's cited prospects for reduced operating deficits, generally stable enrollment and strong philanthropic support.

Cities and states are showing budget resilience as pressure from inflation, slowing revenue growth, and the end of federal pandemic fuels concerns about an uncertain future.

States face slowing revenue growth and increasing spending pressures, the National Association of State Budget Officers said in its Fiscal Survey of States.

"What we plan to tell the SEC is that municipal securities in general shouldn't be subject to Reg. AB," BDA's Michael Decker said.