Pennsylvania

Standard & Poor's lowered by three notches its long-term rating on bonds issued for Good Samaritan Hospital of Lebanon, Pa., to B-plus from BB-plus.

Standard & Poor's lowered its school issuer credit rating on the Aliquippa, Pa.'s School District's general obligation debt to BBB from BBB-plus, while keeping a negative outlook.

Gov. Tom Corbett could decide within days what to do with his lottery privatization plans after Attorney General Kathleen Kane struck down a deal with Camelot.

Pennsylvania's 20-year, $35 billion with Camelot Global Services to run the state's lottery system is unconstitutional, said Attorney General Kathleen Kane.

Harrisburg, Pa., has cleared a legal hurdle to the auction of its Wild West artifacts, which officials say could bring up $6 million to the teetering city.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's burdensome requirement to pay the state DOT $450 million annually would expire in 10 years under Gov. Tom Corbett's proposal.

Harrisburg, Pa., councilman Brad Koplinski, a major figure in the capital city's debt crisis, said he will run for Pennsylvania lieutenant governor as an advocate for localities.

The City Council in distressed Scranton, Pa., tabled a contract with Standard Parking to manage city meters, citing concerns over fees and revenue projections.

Moody's revised its outlook for West Penn Allegheny Health System bonds to developing from negative as it monitors an affiliation agreement with Highmark.

Gov. Tom Corbett, in his address to Pennsylvania's legislature, unveiled a pension overhaul plan that he said would deal with $41 billion in unfunded liability.

Altoona, Pa.'s City Council will consider scheduling a referendum on whether to create a government study commission, one recommendation in its recovery plan.

Pennsylvania is distributing $8.6 million in restitution from JPMorgan Chase & Co., to municipalities and nonprofit organizations who were victims of a scheme to rig bids of municipal bond reinvestment contracts, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office announced.

Renewing efforts to privatize Pennsylvania's state-owned liquor stores, Gov. Tom Corbett announced a plan to sell the system and raise $1 billion for schools.

Amalgamated Bank is providing a second round of financing to Scranton, Pa., so that the city can pay its employees and other obligations. The bank won't say what it's charging the city.

Pittsburgh city Controller Michael Lamb will run for mayor of Pittsburgh, challenging incumbent Luke Ravenstahl.

Allentown, Pa., officials have narrowed their short list for a 50-year concession P3 lease agreement for its water and sewer systems to six companies.

Gov. Tom Corbett awarded Britain's Camelot a $35 billion, 20-year Pennsylvania lottery privatization contract, subject to state attorney general approval and a court challenge.

Moody's says the West Penn Allegheny debt restructuring features "close parallels" to the bankruptcy of the teetering health system's predecessor 15 years ago.

Officials from Highmark and West Penn Allegheny Health System announced an agreement with West Penn bondholders to accept a haircut on their holdings, avoiding a potential bankruptcy and allowing an affiliation agreement to proceed.

Pennsylvania Democrats promised to fight Gov. Tom Corbett's deal with a British firm to privatize the state lottery through the courts, if necessary.