North Carolina

Burton brings 35 years of municipal sales experience, most recently at Cantor Fitzgerald.

The American Society of Civil Engineers lowered its infrastructure grade for North Carolina to C-minus this year from C; three other Southeast states improved.

More than $2 billion of affordable housing and healthcare bonds were approved by the North Carolina Local Government Commission.

Republican efforts on bonding in Louisiana and North Carolina mirror wider GOP-led state governments' efforts to expand power over localities.

Democrats say the shift is part of a pattern by Republican state legislators to shift power into their own hands regardless of what is legitimate.

But a toll-backed public-private partnership remains possible for the more than $1 billion project.

Political opposition from Charlotte residents halted the express toll lanes expansion plan.

The commission approved several issues for Charlotte.

The rating agency cited the city's sharply diminished liquidity and reserves.

Moody's Ratings cited a substantial fall in unrestricted liquidity for the two-notch downgrade. Moody's also placed the rating on review for another downgrade.

The city is in danger of defaulting on bonds in the next fiscal year, according to Local Government Commission officials who say they will intervene if needed.

Proceeds will help finance late stages of construction of city hall.

The state's Local Government Commission approved the borrowing Tuesday.

The Local Government Commission approved bonds for Raleigh, Duke University Health System and Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community.

North Carolina's triple-A ratings were affirmed ahead of plans to sell up to $506 million in general obligation and limited obligation bonds.

The Fayetteville Public Works Commission bonds are to be priced competivitely Oct. 21.

The deal is expected to conclude in the summer of 2026, and at that time Elon University will operate Queens University of Charlotte.

The commission also approved an audit for the financially troubled Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District.

The school had less than one time debt service coverage last fiscal year.

Ketner is Baird's second hire in the higher education and nonprofit sectors in the last 30 days.