Northeast

New Jersey Attorney General Paula T. Dow Thursday announced that JPMorgan will pay the state $1.1 million and buy back auction-rate securities from New Jersey investors to resolve allegations that the bank failed to disclose the risks involved with the ARS market.

New York plans to market new-money, tax-exempt personal income tax bonds next week for the first time since March.

Moody’s Investors Service late Tuesday upgraded to A1 from A2 the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, affecting $327 million of debt. The outlook is stable.

The North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System Inc. has agreed to pay $3 million to settle a civil fraud lawsuit in a deal the U.S. attorney’s office announced Tuesday.

New York plans to market its second qualified school construction bond deal next week with a $133.5 million offering on its personal income tax credit.

Harrisburg’s debt woes are exacerbated by the political impasse between Mayor Linda Thompson and the City Council, which could hinder its ability to utilize the capital market in the future, according to a Moody’s Investors Service analysis of Pennsylvania’s capital city.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Tuesday announced reform measures that would change the state’s ethics laws, pension and benefit packages, economic development initiatives, and education system.

In what has become an annual ritual, New York officials Tuesday touted progress in the reconstruction work at the World Trade Center site. This year, progress can be seen reaching for the sky as the steel on the signature building, 1 World Trade Center, has reached the 36th floor.

Tom Neff will head New Jersey’s Division of Local Government Services and chair its Local Finance Board, which monitors the fiscal operations of cities, towns, and counties.

Fitch Ratings last week upgraded the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to AA from A-plus, affecting $327 million of outstanding debt.