Florida

A Florida judge says Jacksonville violated the state's open meeting law when collective bargaining over pensions was done in private.

Important decisions lie ahead in the New Year for the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority in central Florida, including hiring a new director.

A federal judge has ruled that the Securities and Exchange Commission's fraud case against Miami, Fla. and its former budget director can continue in civil court, denying both defendants' motions to dismiss.

Hollywood, Fla.'s plan to sell $37 million of taxable bonds in January for a Margaritaville Resort that will help make Jimmy Buffett's Parrothead fans happy.

Standard & Poor's raised Broward County, Fla.'s GO bond rating to AAA based on the county's strong economy and "very strong" budget profile.

Miami-Dade County will help former soccer star David Beckham and his investors search for a stadium in hopes of getting a Major League Soccer franchise.

With Florida's economy on the upswing, Gov. Rick Scott wants to lower most motor vehicle taxes and fees hiked during the downturn to support the budget.

A Jacksonville, Fla., task force rejected using up to $1 billion of pension obligation bonds to help alleviate the city’s $1.68 billion of unfunded police and fire obligations.

Florida's economists again upped their forecast of revenues the state can expect in fiscal 2015 bolstering Gov. Rick Scott's plan to recommend $500 million of cuts in taxes and fees.

The new position on political subdivisions that the Internal Revenue Service has taken in a bond-related tax dispute with a community development district in Florida has had a "chilling effect" on the issuance of such bonds and has hurt existing bond issues, bond lawyers are warning.

Florida-based Community Capital's portfolio manager Julie Egan and chief investment officer Barbara VanScoy will take new positions with industry groups January.

Running up against a deadline that could bring federal fines, Miami-Dade County commissioners demanded to know why their massive sewer plan isn't farther along.

Fitch Ratings affirmed ratings on Miami's bond issues citing improved finances but said there is fiscal uncertainty due to legal challenges.

Pro baseball teams in the Southeast are scoring new ball parks with mixed-use entertainment districts to enhance the fan experience in and outside of the game.

Ocala in north-central Florida is pursuing "Project Homerun," the city's plan to steal the New York Yankees' Class A Minor League Team from Tampa.

Florida-based Bryant Miller Olive PA hired three new attorneys to expand the firm's public finance practice.

Tax law and rulings don't support the IRS' position that the Village Center Community Development District in Florida is not a political subdivision and cannot issue tax-exempt bonds, tax law professor Ellen P. Aprill contends.

Texas voters approved a $2 billion water bond program Tuesday in the largest of many bond related issues voters decided in the off-year.

The Internal Revenue Service has closed an audit of series 2005E and series 2007B hospital revenue bonds issued by the Highlands County, Fla. Health Facilities Authority with no change to the bonds’ tax-exempt status.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi settled foreign currency transaction charges and securities lending issues with Bank of New York Mellon for $28 million.