Fitch

Most states continue to fare well, despite economic shocks and weakening revenue growth.

Fitch said its upgrade of Kentucky's IDR "reflects material improvements to Kentucky's fiscal reserves since 2020 as a result of improved budgetary discipline.

"When the rating agencies developed and rolled out their ESG scores, they said their ESG scores would not impact an issuer's credit rating. We are holding them to their word," said Ben Watkins, director of the state Division of Bond Finance.

The bulging surpluses are a result of $5 trillion in economic stimulus from the federal government including American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds which boosted economic activity and tax revenues.

Inflationary-driven challenges pose a drag on hospitals’ fiscal recovery from the pandemic with short-, mid-, and long-term action needed.

Governance is the single most important ESG factor in public finance ratings, given the impact of governance structure, Fitch said.

“Compromised systems can directly affect public finance entities in the near term,” says Fitch's Omid Rahmani, citing ransomware risks.

Entering the third year of a pandemic, higher education is expected to gain stability amid a flood of federal aid.

If enacted, Build Back Better would promote economic growth and likely have a limited impact on inflation, ratings agencies say.

In both states, jobs have recovered past where they were prior to last March when the pandemic hit the U.S.

Fitch analysts discussed the relationship between the soveriegn rating and state and local credits.

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

Goldman Sachs is lead managet for the issuance, which includes tax-exempt and taxable bonds.

The state's momentum with rating agencies continued when Fitch elevated its special tax obligation bonds to AA-minus.

It could take the nation, heavily influenced by New York and California, 18 months to return to full employment, Fitch Ratings said.

Three upgrades in two days and four in six weeks mark the state's first bond-rating upgrades in 20 years.

There’s not much difference in the criteria S&P Global uses to rate general obligation debt issued by cities and GO debt issued by states.

The rating agency's public finance housing group is now called the Community Development and Social Lending Group.

New Jersey lines up $400M sale with outlook boost

Fitch says Biden administration comments that it expects to maintain higher levels of Medicaid matching dollars through 2021 will help states.