Midwest

Oral arguments are expected to take place early next year on CIFG Assurance North America Inc.'s request that a New York State court judge order Assured Guaranty Corp. to cover the policy on $83.3 million of Xenia Iowa Rural Water District bonds as part of its reinsurance agreement.

The Nebraska Investment Finance Authority Thursday will price $196 million of fixed-rate bonds, followed in two weeks by $478 million of variable-rate debt, in a deal aimed at helping the authority better manage its swap risk.

The Illinois Finance Authority on Tuesday advanced bond deals for two privately developed state university student housing projects and financings for a handful of borrowers rushing to tap federal stimulus bond programs ahead of their expiration.

Moody's Investors Service downgraded to A1 from Aa3 Canton's general obligation limited-tax debt.

The Columbus City Council last week approved $36 million of bonds to finance the renovation and expansion of a new police headquarters.

Cuyahoga County's first executive, who takes office in January as part of the county's shift to an executive-style government, said last week he hopes to launch a regional service-sharing agreement for the county's local governments.

St. Louis County may ask voters to approve $100 million of borrowing on the April ballot to finance construction of a new family courts building and renovations to its circuit courts building, according to published reports.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said the city early next year will begin offering residents "non-financial" incentives to relocate to certain areas under a plan to shrink its boundaries.

The Chicago City Council last week lobbied Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn through a letter to veto public safety pension reform legislation recently approved by the General Assembly.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said Monday that he will allow his Put Illinois to Work temporary jobs program to expire early next year.