Florida

Florida's largest-ever budget at $77.1 billion passed Friday before the end of the Legislature's annual session.

Florida lawmakers unanimously passed Senate Bill 230 to create a new regional toll road agency, and abolish the embattled Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, which has $2.6 billion of debt.

Junk-rated Citrus Memorial Hospital in Florida continues to see financials decline and its ratings drop further into junk territory while its bonds continue to trade near par.

Florida lawmakers are in a last-minute push to replace the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority on the heels of a scandal that dogs the agency.

The Florida Government Finance Officers SpaceCoast Chapter and PFM Asset Management sponsor a training seminar on investment practices on May 2.

Florida's Citizens Property Insurance Corp. priced an upsized $1.5 billion catastrophe bond deal to protect itself from hurricane losses on the state's coast.

A consortium led by Sweden's Skanska Infrastructure Development will negotiate a P3 contract to build Florida's massive "Ultimate Interstate 4" project.

The growing Tampa Bay area on Florida's mid-west coast plans to ease severe traffic congestion with major transit upgrades, including new light-rail systems.

Miami Gardens, Fla., voters authorized the city to issue $60 million of general obligation bonds April 21. It would be the city's first issuance of GOs.

Moody's revised the outlook on the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, Fla., to stable as it prepares a work plan and faces potential governance changes.

Slow property tax growth will force Florida's local governments to rely on non-tax revenue for operations, leaving less for debt service payments, Moody's said.

Florida's pension plan for public employees faces new reform measures in the Legislature though it is considered well-funded compared with many other states.

With a hefty surplus to spend, the Florida House passed what would be the state's highest budget ever for fiscal 2015, totaling $75.3 billion. Senate and House budgets now go to conference.

Bills to make it harder for the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority to raise tolls are pending in the Florida Legislature, and are raising concern about bond funding for future projects.

The Florida Department of Transportation has opened its first public-private highway project - the $1.8 billion Interstate 595 Express Lanes in Broward County.

Municipal bonds are a centerpiece in Orlando, Fla.'s plan to lure visitors and locals downtown with new and upgraded sports and arts venues.

Orlando, Fla., is pricing $238.6 million of bonds to finance downtown arts and sports venues, including a stadium that helped the local Orlando City club land a spot in Major League Soccer.

Airports in Tampa and Orlando have planned some $5 billion in capital improvements to handle expected demand for Florida travel.

Two of Florida's largest airport operators, in Orlando and Tampa, plan to spend nearly $5 billion on multi-year capital plans dependent on millions in bond financing.

The Florida Legislature considers several bond-related bills this year, including one requiring cities to get voter's OK for all debt sales over $50 million.