Georgia

The Georgia House has passed a bill that would revamp governance of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, privatize some services, and impose tighter restrictions on the issuance of bonds.

A new deal to build the Atlanta Falcons a new $1 billion stadium is emerging since state lawmakers would not support it. The Atlanta Development Authority may issue bonds instead.

Historically low interest rates last year helped boost bond sales across the Southeast to $63 billion, an increase of 33% over 2011. The surge in debt was propelled by refundings.

Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday announced that Georgia's net tax collections for January totaled $1.73 billion for an increase of nearly $164 million, or 10.4%.

Word has surfaced that Los Angeles may make an offer for the Atlanta Falcons. The news comes as the Falcons are trying to negotiate for a new $1 billion stadium.

Public Financial Management Inc. has hired veteran Georgia banker Dick Layton as a director in the firm's financial advisory practice in Atlanta.

A win by the Atlanta Falcons against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday could go a long way toward advancing the team’s quest for a new stadium, Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal hinted.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed plans to propose that the city issue about $300 million of bonds for infrastructure. He also thinks a deal will be reached to build a $1 billion stadium for the Atlanta Falcons.

The three popular suburban Atlanta charter schools that defaulted on $18.93 million of uninsured bonds have proposed a settlement with investors that is expected to result in a loss.

Atlanta closed fiscal 2012 with $126.7 million in its general fund reserves, an increase of more than $119 million since January 2010. The city now plans to tackle critical infrastructure needs.

The University System of Georgia has completed consolidating eight of the state's 35 public colleges and universities to address, in part, the decline in state funding.

The impacts of property tax caps in the Eastern U.S. states are mixed, ranging from minimal to restrictive, according to a recent report from Standard & Poor's.

Georgia is moving forward with the nearly $1 billion Northwest Corridor Project after changing direction on how to proceed with the project to relieve gridlock in the Atlanta region.

Ballard Spahr has promoted public finance attorney Han Choi to be managing partner of the firm's Atlanta office.

Wells Fargo Bank NA said in a market notice that it would not distribute Jan. 1 interest payments due on $18.93 million of uninsured, defaulted bonds sold for three popular Georgia charter schools.

Qualifications from 10 firms interested in providing architectural services for the Atlanta Falcons' new stadium have been submitted to the team and the Georgia World Congress Center, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Wells Fargo filed a suit for breach of contract against three suburban Atlanta charter schools that are in default on $18.93 million of uninsured bonds.

Moody's Investors Service said that Georgia Perimeter College faces more negative credit pressure because its accreditation has been placed on warning by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or SACS.

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority Monday approved a preliminary agreement with the Atlanta Falcons to build a nearly $1 billion stadium.

Georgia's $583 million general obligation bond deals should sell well Tuesday and Wednesday since there aren't a lot of triple, triple-A rated state GO bonds available in good block sizes, a muni trader said.