Louisiana

Natural gas prepayment deals helped drive the utilities sector to top the Southeast in an overall down year for municipal bond sales across the region.

Robert Poole, a leading expert in the U.S. public-private partnership transportation sector, joins infrastructure reporter Caitlin Devitt to talk about upcoming deals including toll lanes and bridges in the Southeast and high speed rail in the West as well as states that are advancing P3s and action on the federal front. (37 minutes)

Financing for the $2.1 billion Calcasieu River bridge includes a mix of state funds, federal grants and bonds, which will hit the market in early April.

John Fleming, a four-term congressman and former Trump administration official, took office as state treasurer. Jeff Landry of the GOP was sworn in as governor.

A state congressional committee voted down a proposal to replace the aging Calcasieu Bridge with a toll-road through a public-private-partnership. Now limited options remain to carry out the work, say some state officials.

Endorsed by Donald Trump, Landry has fought against ESG precepts and has had several run-ins with the state Bond Commission over firearms and abortion issues.

The region's issuers sold $30.3 billion of municipal bonds in the first half of 2023, 29.9% less than they did during the same period last year

The Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District is selling bonds to continue renovations on the Caesars Superdome, which will host the 2025 Super Bowl.

Bolstered by key political support, states across the southeast are building toll roads through public-private partnerships to manage congestion.

"What are our options? You either pick these banks or you don't. If you don't, business shuts down. We stop building infrastructure," said state Treasurer John Schroder, the bond commission chair.