Ohio

CHICAGO - Ohio State University is coming to market this week with at least $300 million of taxable general receipts bonds that feature 100-year maturities, marking the first time a public university has floated century bonds.

CHICAGO - The U.S. Department of Transportation revoked a $1.5 million grant to Ohio after a group of Democratic congressmen from the state said Gov. John Kasich was wrongly using the money to hire a firm to advise the state on privatizing the Ohio Turnpike.

Ohio auditor Dave Yost last week put Akron on a fiscal caution status, marking the first time the state has used the new criteria.

CHICAGO - Firms interested in acting as underwriter for the Ohio Housing Finance Authority have until Oct. 14 at 4 p.m. to submit proposals.

CHICAGO - Ohio State University's plan to privatize its parking system advanced this week when the school posted a request for qualifications for firms interested in the asset.

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.