City of Houston, TX

The Texas Education Agency, which initially sought the takeover in 2019, will appoint managers to run the state's largest public school system.

The rating agency raised the system's subordinate-lien general airport revenue bond rating to A-plus from A with a stable outlook amid increased enplanements.

Houston has built up a $344.8 million general fund balance and reduced its unfunded pension liability to about $1.5 billion ahead of a possible economic slump.

A three-judge panel reversed a district court's ruling in favor of the city's Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund that the law was unconstitutional.

The honorees of the past are making a big impact in the present.

A reported preliminary 25.8% drop in May issuance shows how strong fund inflows, improving credit and the reopening of governments are keeping the muni market issuer friendly.

Cameron Mock, chief of staff and senior fiscal advisor to the deputy governor of Illinois, Melissa Dubowski, deputy finance director of the city of Houston and John Markowitz, assistant treasurer of Transurban, join Innovation Editor Lynne Funk to discuss their day-to-day work navigating COVID-19 effects, budget stresses and the future of public finance post-pandemic. (25 minutes).

Deputy finance director, Houston

The new-issue market saw deals from Houston, the Illinois Finance Authority and the City and County of San Francisco, Calif., hit the screens.

The bonds are pricing in three series on Wednesday and Thursday through senior manager Morgan Stanley.

Municipal bond prices remained steady as more supply hits the screens.

Municipals finished little changed on Tuesday in light trading activity with the summer seeming to settle in.

Heavyweight ballot measures include $3.5 billion from the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County and $3 billion for the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas.

A pre-marketing scale was released on California's $2.3 billion GO deal.

The last full trading week ahead of the Labor Day holiday will see a variety of credits come to market.

Houston issued bonds in the negotiated sector, while Long Beach competitively sold two issues.

The Lone Star State sold $8 billion of notes to buyers with an endless appetite for short-term muni paper.

The municipal team at PIMCO see several areas of opportunity for muni investors in the second half of 2019.

Texas issues are headlining this week's slate of supply.

Houston expects strong demand for the refunding bonds pricing on two days this week.