Northeast

Providence, R.I. Mayor Angel Taveras desires $39 million in federal TIGER grant money to help fund a streetcar project he called essential to the city's comeback.

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Essex County, N.J.'s general obligation and county guaranteed bonds to AA from AA-minus.

Pennsylvania's $28.3 billion budget is en route to the Senate with three weeks left in the session after the House passed it in a party-line 108-92 vote.

The New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority intends to sell $280 million of new money bonds and $120 million of refunding bonds next week.

Rhode Island's retirement system has moved to hire its first independent disability pension investigator, General Treasurer Gina Raimondo announced.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's $20 billion plan to harden New York City from future storm damage is pricey but bold, municipal market observers say.

Fitch Ratings downgraded Nassau County, New York's general obligation and county guaranteed Nassau Health Care Corporation bonds to A from A-plus on Tuesday.

To gain a balanced budget in the coming fiscal year, the Philadelphia School District is planning to lay off about 20% of its workforce.

Massachusetts Treasurer Steven Grossman announced that a bond refinancing his office closed Tuesday will save the commonwealth more than $4 million in fiscal 2014.

Pennsylvania is probably in store for a downgrade from the rating agencies should it not overhaul its retirement system this session, its budget secretary said.