Rhode Island

Moody's GO and issuer default rating upgrade to A3 from Baa1 follows a similar action taken by Fitch in November.

The ruling striking down Rhode Island's tolling program constrains states' efforts to solve complex infrastructure problems, the state says.

The largest of the three tranches is the $75 million Series 79-A, which are tax-exempt and carry a social bonds designation not verified by an outside party.

Debt placed through conduit Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp. will accelerate repairs at the Paul Cuffee School, a high school in Providence.

Democrats Erick Russell in Connecticut, James Diossa in Rhode Island and Mike Pieciak in Vermont won open-seat races for state treasurer.

Blackstone Valley Preparatory will use proceeds of the $12.7 million deal to purchase and renovate school buildings.

A Rhode Island GO deal pricing next week includes $100 million for public schools; a measure on the ballot in November would authorize $250 million more.

The Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corporation closed an $85 million deal for schools in Johnston.

The ruling "sends a strong signal to other states that trucking is not to be targeted as a piggy bank," said the president of the Rhode Island trucking association.

The former two-term mayor of Central Falls will face Republican James Lantrop, finance director for the town of North Kingstown, in the state's Nov. 8 general election.