Nebraska

Fitch Ratings last week downgraded to BB-plus from BBB-minus $30 million of revenue bonds issued for Beatrice Community Hospital.

A trio of Midwestern governors have proposed dramatic income-tax cuts — which could impact demand for their state bonds — but are meeting opposition from GOP-led state legislatures.

Fitch Ratings last week affirmed its B rating on Midland University and revised its outlook to stable.

Refunding opportunities fueled a 36.3% surge in bond issuance among Midwestern borrowers last year as the steadfastly conservative region shied away from adding new debt in favor of shoring up balance sheets.

Nebraska lawmakers last week heard hours of testimony – most of it critical – on Gov. Dave Heineman's plan to eliminate the state's income tax and replace it with a broader sales tax base.

Gov. Dave Heineman last week announced an agreement between the University of Nebraska and Nebraska State College System that would allow for a two-year tuition freeze and increase state funding for the schools

Moody's Investors Service last week lowered its rating on Omaha's special tax revenue bonds to Aa2 from Aa1 following its downgrade of the city's general obligation rating to Aa1 from Aaa last month.

The Nebraska Public Power District, which operates one of the state's two nuclear plants, hits the market Tuesday with $211 million, marking its second deal this year for capital projects at the plant.

The Internal Revenue Service has told the Nebraska Public Power District that $10 million of the $50.36 million of Series A Build America Bonds it issued in June 2009 do not qualify for the 35% subsidy payment it receives from the U.S. Treasury.

Great Platte River Road Archway Monument in Nebraska museum, showcasing America's pioneer history, defaulted this month on $20 million of capital appreciation bonds, the latest in a series of defaults on $60 million of debt issued in 1998 that the museum has never had enough money to service.

Omaha lost one of its two prized triple-A ratings Friday when Moody's Investors Service downgraded the city to Aa1. But the move did not mean much of a hit to the city's borrowing costs when it headed to market Monday.

The Omaha Public Power District, one of the country's highest-rated utilities, brings its largest borrowing to date to market this week as it continues to struggles with an extended shutdown of its Fort Calhoun nuclear plant.

One of the Midwest's top bond counsel firms, Missouri-based Gilmore & Bell has opened a new Nebraska office in Omaha, staffed by a trio of public finance attorneys who join the firm from competitor Baird Holm LLP.

Moody's Investors Service affirmed the A1 rating for the Metropolitan Utilities District of Omaha, removing it from review for possible downgrade, and assigned a negative outlook.

The Lincoln Electric System, a city-owned utility that boasts some of the lowest electric rates in the country, brings $210 million of bonds to market, starting with a one-day retail order period Wednesday.

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman last week vetoed a bill that would give cities the option to hold a referendum on a sales tax increase.

Critics of Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman’s tax plan said last week the proposal would lead to a $660 million shortfall in the upcoming two-year budget cycle.

Moody’s Investors Service placed the A1-rated Omaha Metropolitan Utility District on review for possible downgrade after years of thin debt-service coverage.

The Internal Revenue Service has told the Nebraska Public Power District that $10 million of the $50.36 million of Build America Bonds it issued in June 2009 may not qualify for the 35% interest subsidy it receives from the Treasury Department because of a dispute over the issue price of the bonds.

Nebraska lawmakers are eying a plan that would allow community colleges to use property tax dollars to back revenue bonds for capital improvements.