Ohio

The Federal Transit Administration said it would give Cincinnati until Dec. 19 to reverse a recent decision to halt a controversial streetcar project or it would pull federal funding.

Ohio municipalities face steep revenue losses — and likely constraints on borrowing ability — under a proposed overhaul of the state's local income tax system.

Standard & Poor's revised its outlook to negative from stable for Cleveland Public Power on Wednesday in light of the system's weakened debt coverage levels and growing competition.

Commissioners in Hamilton County, Ohio, are expected to consider a proposal to restore part of a property tax rebate that the county has repeatedly cut in order to fund two of the city's sports stadiums.

Blaylock Robert Van LLC has opened a new office in Columbus, Ohio staffed by a veteran investment banker who's been active in the state's municipal market for 30 years.

The new mayor of Cincinnati, bond attorney John Cranley, is halting two controversial bond-funded projects, including one for which the city has already sold general obligation bonds.

Texas voters approved a $2 billion water bond program Tuesday in the largest of many bond related issues voters decided in the off-year.

Midwestern voters face a mix bag of bond and electoral questions Tuesday including bond referenda, and a pension measure in Cincinnati.

An Ohio legislative board Monday approved an expansion of the state's Medicaid program under the new federal health care law, marking a victory for Gov. John Kasich.

Kentucky and Ohio consider options for building and funding a bridge project between Covington, Ky. and Cincinnati that could cost as much as $2.9 billion.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich formally launched the work of crafting a new two-year capital budget last Saturday by meeting with the leaders of the state's higher education institutions.

Columbus, Ohio-based law firm Bricker & Eckler LLP has hired a new attorney, Catherine Swartz, for its public finance group.

Ohio will sell $400 million of new-money general obligation bonds in a competitive sale set for Tuesday morning.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel voiced support for his chief financial officer Lois Scott this week, following reports highlighting her past business ties to former comptroller Amer Ahmad, who faces federal corruption charges tied to his tenure as deputy Ohio Treasurer.

Kentucky and Indiana will set tolls for the $2.6 billion Ohio River Bridges Project, which will support Kentucky bonds selling this year.

The Ohio Supreme Court has set Sept. 9 as the date to hear oral arguments in a case related to the constitutionality of JobsOhio, a private entity that leased the state's liquor distribution system last year.

Fitch Ratings Wednesday downgraded $41 million of highway improvement bonds issued by Ohio’s Butler County Transportation Improvement district amid declining debt service coverage levels.

Columbus Ohio will offer buyers high-grade paper beginning Monday when it takes retail orders on a $320 million sale of general obligation notes and bonds to cover its annual spending on capital projects.

A federal grand jury indicted former Ohio deputy treasurer Amer Ahmad, recently Chicago comptroller, on corruption charges of orchestrating a kickback scheme involving Ohio investment business.

Rising interest rates and lagging economic growth sidelined borrowers in the Midwest where issuance dipped by 12% to $34 billion during the first half of 2013 compared to the same time last year.