Louisiana

The Louisiana House passed a bill to limit firms that "discriminate" against the firearms industry from government business. A similar bill was vetoed last year.

This is the second time S&P Global Ratings placed New Orleans on negative CreditWatch due to long delays in publishing audited financial statements.

Oklahoma is poised to follow in the footsteps of Texas by barring banks from municipal bond deals if deemed to be against firearms and fossil fuel industries.

Alex Wiggins, CEO of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, said it will be looking at a combination of bond authority and public-private partnerships to help pay for transportation infrastructure projects.

The state under transportation secretary Shawn Wilson is gaining a national reputation for pursuing P3s for tolled bridge replacements.

The deal priced into a market that has seen rising rates for municipal bonds along with record high oil and gas prices.

“We are anticipating a substantial present value savings as a result of our being proactive,” said the spokeswoman for state Treasurer John Schroder.

States, on the front lines of implementing the new $1.1 trillion infrastructure program, want clear, flexible federal rules and the ability to tap private investment.

Citing lingering questions about the bank's policies on financing of firearms manufacturers, the Bond Commission chose Wells Fargo for the refinancing deal.

Turnout was less than 14% during Saturday's voting where only one constitutional amendment out of four was approved.