Louisiana

The New Orleans Revenue Estimating Conference approved the new forecast Wednesday.

The state sold $348.7 million in general obligation bonds Thursday in a competitive deal.

Litigants say $400 million in planned Port of South Louisiana bonds were not properly advertised. It's part of a wider challenge to industrial development plans.

S&P cited the system's structural challenges, physical risk exposure and uncertainty about the system's overall financial and operational trajectory.

Despite headwinds in the higher education sector, Louisiana State has enjoyed rising undergraduate enrollment.

The rating agency cited weak demand for the facilities.

FEMA must speed its very slow disbursement of aid, many observers say.

Such a bank would be a "revolving financing tool that allows us to stretch dollars further, leverage federal programs without surrendering control, and deliver more projects without raising taxes," Gov. Jeff Landry said. 

The commission also approved developing a plan to refund $286 million of bonds.

The precedent and, if there were to be an appeals court affirmation, would have a greater impact on Louisiana than Florida, the attorneys said.

The ratings agency revises the outlook to negative

The mayor-elect expects the reductions in staff will reduce payroll by $27 million.

The city council president hopes the panel will override the mayor's veto of the budget this week.

The bonds are to be used for a variety of projects aimed at recovering from multiple natural disasters that struck Lake Charles in 2020 and 2021.

The changing climate is increasing insurance rates for residents and cities and lowering property values in areas that face more frequent and intense disasters.

While the plan of reorganization says bondholders will get 100% of principal, it won't be for 12 years. And they will lose some interest.

City Council President Jean-Paul Morrell said Mayor LaToya Cantrell had engaged in a "breathtaking abdication" of her job.

Moody's cited narrowing financial flexibility and declining debt service.

The deal offers a better recovery than earlier deals but no principal payment for 12 years.

The city said it needed the money to be able to make payroll in November and December.