Massachusetts

Amid East Coast transit systems' overcrowding and strained capital budgets, advocates tout ferries as low-cost alternatives.

The commonwealth will also issue GANs and commonwealth transportation fund revenue bonds in November.

The authority, which runs Greater Boston mass transit, intends to sell the bonds as part of a $574 million competitive sale.

The rating agency cautioned that rising pension costs and revenue restraints could pose challenges.

The region's slipping volume reflected a national trend.

A significant bond issue is on the town's special election ballot on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Revenue volatility and bond-rating agency opinions can complicate states' rainy-day planning.

The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, aided by a recent bond rating upgrade from Standard and Poor's Rating Service, has been able to refinance debt and issue new revenue bonds for millions of dollars in long-term savings.

Gov. Charlie Baker says it falls within a 'reasonably manageable' range

She was previously a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection commissioner.