Northeast

Pennsylvania Democrats promised to fight Gov. Tom Corbett's deal with a British firm to privatize the state lottery through the courts, if necessary.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage announced his support Tuesday for the sale of $391 million in bonds but state treasurer Neeria Douglass voiced skepticism.

Standard & Poor's has upgraded Meridian Health System debt issued by New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority to A from A-minus.

Pennsylvania chose Camelot Global Services of Britain to run its lottery system, though critics say Gov. Tom Corbett is moving too quickly on the privatization.

The capital markets reacted favorably when the U.S. Justice Department let two Rhode Island communities use Google settlement money to replenish pension funds.

New York comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has said that his state's high debt burden "could jeopardize critical infrastructure projects and other capital needs."

A private-sector financial consultant wants Scranton, Pa., officials to clarify a bond-document statement that he said contradicts property tax increase plans.

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee announced a transparency and accountability initiative, the goal of which, he said in an executive order, is to make more information about government operations and management available to the public.

Harrisburg, Pa., Controller and mayoral candidate Dan Miller said he would appeal a judge’s decision that would force him to sign an agreement that allows the distressed city’s sale of Wild West artifact collections to proceed, the Patriot-News reported.

Standard & Poor’s revised its outlook to positive from stable on the New York State Power Authority on Jan. 4.