Ohio

The Cincinnati City Council last week approved a measure to issue up to $28 million of bonds to finance infrastructure improvements around a future casino.

CHICAGO - Holders of $18 million of unrated debt issued for a large suburban Cincinnati mall are working to extend a forbearance agreement with the project's owners, who have failed to make debt service payments on the bonds since 2008.

CHICAGO - Ohio will take competitive bids Wednesday on $300 million of general obligation bonds to finance capital projects for schools across the state.

The Ohio Housing Finance Agency last week approved the issuance of $15.5 million of tax-exempt multifamily bonds that will be used to renovate affordable housing properties in several counties across the state.

CHICAGO - The Ohio State University board this week will consider a proposal to privatize its parking system for an upfront payment from a private operator.

Columbus-based law firm Peck, Shaffer & Williams LLP has hired a new attorney for its Columbus office.

Fitch Ratings last week downgraded to BB-plus from BBB its rating on $80 million of facilities revenue bonds issued for Mercy Medical Center, a 337-bed teaching hospital in Canton.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich is looking to hire a consultant to explore the privatization of the Ohio Lottery.

CHICAGO — Less than two weeks after its founding, Ohio Women in Public Finance has attracted more than 100 members.

CHICAGO - Ohio is looking for advisors to help it explore privatization options for the Ohio Turnpike.

Fitch Ratings last week downgraded Toledo’s sewer bonds to A-plus from AA-minus due in part to a weakening of the system’s debt service coverage levels over the past two years.

Voters rejected 17 of 23 school levy requests in special local elections held last week across Ohio.

CHICAGO - Ohio will price $25 million of federally taxable general obligation bonds Tuesday that will finance cash bonuses for Ohioans who are veterans of recent wars.

Moody’s Investors Service downgraded $61.5 million of bonds sold on behalf of John Carroll University to A3 from A2. The Ohio Higher Educational Facility Commission issued the debt on behalf of the school.

Gov. John Kasich said he has asked the Legislature to create a commission to formally explore the consolidation of the state’s school districts.

CHICAGO - The top-rated city of Columbus, Ohio, will enter the market Wednesday with $289.4 million of bonds, marking the city's annual outing to finance capital projects. Some of the proceeds also will be used for improvements to a site for a new casino.

Voters will get a chance to weigh in on one of Ohio’s most controversial new laws after opponents filed enough signatures to get the issue on the ballot.

Ohio said it expects to lay off nearly 1,000 workers as it prepares to privatize five of its prisons under Gov. John Kasich’s budget-balancing measure.

Standard & Poor’s last week revised its outlook to stable from negative on Ohio in light of the state’s recent economic stabilization and the structural balance achieved in its new two-year budget.

Moody's Investors Service last week affirmed Fairfield Medical Center's Baa2 rating and revised its outlook to stable from negative, citing its sustained operating improvements. The action affects $34.2 million of rated debt.