Washington

U.S. airports have $71.3 billion in capital needs through 2017, a major airport interest group said Tuesday, a funding goal that they are not on track to meet.

Public-private partnerships are "toxic" to a lot of people and the mere mention of them can hinder projects, California Treasurer Bill Lockyer said Tuesday. Lockyer said, "Avoid talking about public-private partnerships. They are toxic with a lot of people."

A bill pending in the Maryland Senate would require the state transportation authority to begin exploring the possibility of a bond-financed bridge across the Chesapeake Bay.

San Francisco Supervisor John Avalos plans to request a hearing to examine whether city investments were harmed by manipulation of a key lending rate.

Ray LaHood, a big supporter of high-speed rail and the Dulles Silver Line project, plans to step down as Transportation Secretary after a successor is nominated and confirmed by the Senate.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray, D-Wash., has unveiled a "My Budget" online site for members of the public to provide their views on the next budget.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board will soon make muni market benchmark data, including yield curves and other market indices, available on the EMMA web site to give market participants determine fair prices.

Moody's Investors Service gave Wenatchee, Wash. one notch upgrades on its general obligation bond ratings that kept the ratings in speculative territory and handed the city a stable outlook with critical comments attached.

A plan released by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority details $6 billion of investment the nation's second-busiest subway system needs to make over the next 12 years, and stresses the need for new revenue to support it.

The House voted Wednesday afternoon to suspend the federal government's borrowing authority until May 19 to avoid a potential default and debt crisis.

Moody's Investors Service placed tobacco settlement revenue bonds of issuers in 17 states and two territories under review with direction uncertain because of legal settlement announced in December. The action affects $20.5 billion of debt.

FINRA ordered fines of more than $6.1 million for municipal market rule violations in disciplinary cases reported in 2012, 6% less than the $6.6 million in fines assessed in the previous year.

Washington will competitively sell a combined $1.2 billion of general obligation bonds Wednesday into a market ready for a big deal during a down month.

Bond-related bills pending in the Virginia House of Delegates would limit toll increases on the Dulles Toll Road and authorize the commonwealth, through authorities, to purchase and control the privately-owned Dulles Greenway.

The Financial Stability Oversight Council has extended the deadline for submitting comments on proposed regulations of money market mutual funds to Feb. 15 from Jan. 18.

The ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee said Tuesday that the Obama administration's proposed 28% cap on tax expenditures should be considered as a source of additional revenue in upcoming fiscal fights, but warned it should be viewed with caution.

The International Bridge Tunnel and Turnpike Association has announced a campaign to elevate the role of tolling in transportation funding, backed by a recent Reason Foundation study that advocates for expanded use of toll financing.

Preserving tax exemption for municipal bonds is a top priority for states, governors said Wednesday.

The Internal Revenue Service's National Taxpayer Advocate is urging Congress to make tax reform its highest priority and to simplify the federal tax code by reassessing the need for every tax expenditure, including the exclusion of tax-exempt municipal bond interest from income.