Louisiana

Seven U.S. cities intend to dedicate 10% of their annual budgets toward resilience strategies under a worldwide program designed to fortify urban centers.

Louisiana legislators approved a $500 million budget deficit reduction plan by the Jindal administration, though some complained it does not address the state’s structural imbalance.

After amassing nearly $2 billion in unused bonding authority from Louisiana and Florida the past few years, BioNitrogen Holdings Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Nov. 3.

Five big southeast airports have major capital plans underway, including Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, for which Broward County, Fla. is selling $489 million of revenue bonds Oct. 29. Traffic Growth Helps Spur Fort Lauderdale Airport Deal

Voters in Louisiana rejected a plan to boost transportation funding at the expense of the state's rainy day fund.

A settlement between New Orleans and its firefighters’ union resolving pension and wage disputes is credit positive for the city, though it will stress city finances, Moody’s said.

Voters in Louisiana Saturday select a new governor and decide on a constitutional amendment to fund new transportation projects that opponents say could hurt the state’s credit ratings.

Shreveport, La.’s general obligation bond rating was dropped to A2 from A1 by Moody's Investors Service due to weak liquidity and the use of reserves.

West Jefferson Medical Center, La.'s bond ratings were cut three notches to Ba2 due to a "precipitous" downturn in operating performance, Moody's Investors Service said.

The oil and gas industry is pressing Congress to permit exports of crude as prices remain at the lowest since the 2008 global financial crisis. The campaign comes as Houston and other energy dependent credits face growing pain from the falling prices, according to Fitch Ratings.

As the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina nears, New Orleans has seen many improvements although the city still faces credit challenges, according to Moody's Investors Service.

Issuers in the Southeast sold $41.56 billion of bonds in the first half of 2015, an 85% increase in year-over-year volume fueled by refundings and a slight uptick in new-money sales.

Louisiana dodged a rating downgrade ahead of an upcoming bond sale amid ongoing concern over the state budget's structural imbalance.

Five Louisiana universities avoided rating downgrades by Standard & Poor's because the state bolstered their 2016 budgets instead of enacting new cuts.

Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., and Sen. David Vitter, R-La., have introduced bipartisan disaster tax relief bills that include several bond provisions.

This month's $18.7 billion agreement with BP p.l.c. positions struggling Gulf coast states to receive financial relief, though the years-long payout won't provide immediate respite for some.

Less than two weeks into the 2016 fiscal year, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has ordered budget reductions and a hiring freeze.

Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s bonds got a two notch upgrade to A1 from Moody’s Investors Service ahead of a planned $350 million refunding.

Louisiana lawmakers struck a deal with Gov. Bobby Jindal late Thursday that paved the way for a $24.4 billion state budget to be approved.

As Louisiana’s regular legislative session winds down, lawmakers have given little attention to a bill that would allow the state to sell $875 million of tobacco revenue bonds.