Florida

"The outlook revision reflects recent state legislation that provides for the district's continued ability to levy ad valorem taxes," said S&P analyst Christian Richards.

The municipal bond market gets sucked further into the culture wars with Florida's latest plan to ban issuers from considering ESG factors when issuing debt.

Spending on climate proofing infrastructure and other green capital developments increased 68% while overall volume tumbled 13% in the region.

The new law gives the governor the power to appoint the Disney district's board members and renames it the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

"The main point is that this is a change primarily in name only," said Ben Watkins, head of the state's Bond Division. "There will be no impact on debt whatsoever."

"Our budget proposal not only builds on the successes of the past four years, but ensures that Florida will continue to thrive," said Gov. Ron DeSantis.

"We're going to see job growth, population growth, gross domestic product growth and we're very excited," says Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava unveiled plans to create an authority to fund innovation while Miami City Mayor Francis Suarez focused on the environment and housing affordability.

A number of states are taking aim at tax reductions, though some experts view the move as misguided policy.

By an almost four-to-one margin, voters approved a charter amendment requiring voter approval to transfer ownership of the county's airport, seaport or tollway.

The Miami area unemployment rate fell to 1.4% in December and saw the second-highest number of private-sector job gains in the state on a year-over-year basis.

A family earning Miami's median city income would need to spend 85% of their paycheck to buy Miami's median-priced home, said the firm RealtyHop.

Ron DeSantis was sworn in Tuesday for a second term, promising more culture war headlines.

Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade County, Florida, talks with Chip Barnett about the county's robust economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. She talks about how the seaport and airport are booming and looks at some challenges ahead such as environmental and housing issues. Taped live in Miami on Dec. 7. (10 minutes)

The Citizens Property Insurance Corp. wants to have a successor selected before the Florida Legislature convenes its new session in March.

The state's benchmark debt ratio for debt service to revenue is at 3.78% — well below a 6% target and 7% limit.

Among the special session charges: "Improve the financial stability of the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation," Florida's bond-funded insurer of last resort.

"I think it's undemocratic of major asset managers to use their power to influence societal outcomes," said Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis.

Total November volume stood at $19.712 billion, the lightest of any month year-to-date, in 527 versus $37.073 billion in 1,055 issues a year earlier, according to Refinitiv data.

"We continue to see very strong job numbers. Florida is in as good of a position as we could possibly be," said Jimmy Heckman of the state Department of Economic Opportunity.