Florida

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.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal applauded Monday's U.S. Supreme Court decision to have the Department of Justice file a brief in the water wars case with Florida.

A recent decision by Port St. Lucie, Fla., to postpone refinancing bonds issued for the now-bankrupt Digital Domain is a credit negative, according to Moody's.

A central Florida grand jury is investigating potential hiring improprieties by the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority.

PNC Capital Markets LLC hired three veterans to continue the bank's efforts to integrate and expand public finance and banking.

The PFM Group announced Thursday that Jamie Doyle, David Eichenthal, Sarah Hollenbeck, and Sergio Masvidal have all been promoted to managing director.

Southeast bond issuance last year dropped 11% to $56.7 billion as rising interest rates took refundings out of the running and new-money volume was nearly flat.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority in Florida will restart its search for a financial advisor as it embarks on a multi-billion capital program at Orlando International Airport.

The South Florida Bond Traders Association raised $20,000 for charities during its 2014 conference, the organization announced Feb. 24.

Lakeland, Fla.-based Holland & Knight launched the Georgia Public Finance Initiative and selected two attorneys to expand its practice in the Peach state.

Miami-Dade County's repeal of employee healthcare contributions is a credit negative for Florida's largest county, Moody's Investors Service said Feb. 13.