Midwest

Republican Governor-elect John Kasich said last week that he would consider a plan to privatize the Ohio Turnpike.

Kent State University has postponed a $250 million capital program amid opposition from the Ohio Board of Regents.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm next week is expected to sign into law a $383 million capital budget that would fund dozens of projects at universities and community colleges across Michigan.

Iowa's revenue picture continues to improve, with the state's Revenue Estimating Conference now projecting that an additional $34.1 million will be collected in the current fiscal year over previous estimates and $85.5 million next year.

Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont, last week questioned Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn's recent $47 million extension of the state-funded "Put Illinois to Work" program with a deficit of up to $15 billion of looming and growing debt.

Moody's Investors Service said Monday it views Illinois' successful sale of $1.46 billion of tobacco bonds to pay down overdue bills as a credit positive even though the borrowing falls into the deficit financing category that rating analysts typically frown on.

CHICAGO — Ohio plans to begin taking retail orders Tuesday on $230 million of double-A rated Garvee bonds and opening the sale to institutional buyers Wednesday.

CHICAGO — Minnesota faces a $6.2 billion budget deficit over the next two years that is about $590 million more than previously projected, according to a new revenue forecast state fiscal officials issued Thursday.

CHICAGO — Illinois lawmakers ended a week-long veto session Thursday after passing a public safety pension reform measure and advancing a gaming expansion bill but without taking up a series of major bills aimed at tackling the state’s looming deficit.

CHICAGO — Officials in Hamtramck met with the current and incoming state treasurers this week to continue to press their case for the cash-strapped city to become the first Michigan municipality to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy.