Infrastructure

As New York's 2009 legislative session kicks into high gear the state's largest issuers are looking for support for their annual wish lists.

WASHINGTON - The Montgomery, Md., County Council this week approved an east-west, light-rail system that would connect Montgomery and Prince George's counties, moving the $1.2 billion "Purple Line" project forward after more than 20 years of planning.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority will now use a pool of 32 investment banks when it issues debt rather than reviewing underwriter proposals each time it heads to market.

WASHINGTON - House members last night voted 244 to 188 to approve a $819 billion economic stimulus bill that they had amended to tighten transportation funding requirements for state and local governments.

DALLAS - Texas Gov. Rick Perry yesterday told lawmakers that the state's condition was "good," while acknowledging the impact of a deepening national recession that has sent energy and home prices plummeting and prompted massive bailouts for finance and automotive firms.

CHICAGO - The Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission this week signed off on a new agreement with Delta Air Lines Inc. that allows the carrier to close its former Northwest Airlines Corp. local headquarters without triggering immediate repayment of $245 million of debt.

Mayor Richard Daley yesterday announced his selection of Chicago Transit Authority president Ron Huberman to replace Arne Duncan as Chicago Public Schools chief after Duncan’s departure earlier this month to serve in President Obama’s cabinet as education secretary.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its $358 billion stimulus spending package yesterday, sending it to the full Senate without any amendments after less than three hours of committee discussion.

DALLAS - East Baton Rouge Parish intends to take $110 million of sales-tax-supported road and street improvement bonds to market today, but officials will watch the market before deciding whether to issue the debt as scheduled.

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans sell up to $2.59 billion of bonds in 2009, the agency said yesterday.