Ohio

Standard & Poor's last week raised its long-term rating to BBB from BBB-minus on the Cleveland Cuyahoga County Port Authority's bond fund program. The outlook is stable.

New Ohio State University housing will be financed in part through bonds.

The House and Senate Wednesday will consider a long-stalled five-bill package to overhaul the state's retirement system in an effort to trim its pension and retiree health care benefits liability.

Fitch Ratings last week downgraded $41.1 million of transportation improvement bonds issued by the Butler County Transportation Improvement District, Ohio, to A from AA-minus. The outlook is negative.

Gov. John Kasich, who has made privatization of state assets a top priority, announced that the state will embark on its first P3 with the construction of a new bridge in downtown Cleveland.

Local communities in eight states with a stake in the controversial mostly bond-financed Prairie State Energy coal project in Illinois could face fiscal stress due to the higher than projected rates they are paying and future financial risks, a new report from an pro-environmental group warns.

A state representative from suburban Columbus said she is drafting legislation that would create a uniform income-tax code for all Ohio municipalities.

Moody’s Investors Service last week affirmed the A2 rating on the Cleveland Municipal School District’s outstanding general obligation unlimited-tax debt, but revised the outlook to negative from stable due in part to the district’s thin liquidity.

A federal judge is allowing a lawsuit against the $2.6 billion Ohio River Bridges Project to proceed. Judge John Heyburn ordered briefs filed by the end of February.

Ohio officials question the constitutionality of a plan to privatize the state's lucrative liquor system in an effort to advance a $1.5 billion liquor-profit backed bond sale that would finance the deal.

Indiana last week released its final request for proposals for the East End Crossing of the massive $2.6 billion Ohio River Bridges Project.

Ohio State University touted the results of last week's $114 million refunding, saying demand outstripped supply by nearly three times, and that the deal was the university's latest successful move to drum up new revenue for its academic programs.

Fitch Ratings stripped a retail development located in an affluent Ohio town of its investment grade rating, warning that weak cash-flow and a high loan-to-value ratio could lead to foreclosure.

Louisville-based Hilliard Lyons is extending its public finance banking reach into Ohio with the hiring of former RBC Capital Markets banker Scott Stubbins.

The Ohio House this week begins hearings on long-stalled pension reform plans a week after a new report said the Buckeye State's retirement systems have plenty of strengths but need reforms to build funded levels.

Moody's Investors Service upgraded to A2 from A3 its rating on Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center, located in Findlay, Ohio.

The city brings $447 million of gilt-rated debt to market Tuesday in what will be its largest general obligation sale to date and one of the larger deals to hit the market next week.

Budget officials in the two Midwest states report good news heading into fiscal 2013, as the states benefit from better-than-expected revenues. Both states will deposit the surpluses into rainy-day funds.

Ohio says it will be able to make this year's payments on its Buckeye tobacco bonds without having to rely on reserves like it did in 2011.

Ohio has launched a new web site aimed at giving potential and current investors a detailed look at the state's fiscal position, including bonds, budget, disclosure information, and ratings information.