State of Florida

With federal aid rolling out, the municipal credit picture is improving and issuers are coming to market at a faster clip. An infrastructure package could push issuance levels even higher.

The pact may generate up to $2.5 billion in revenue for the state in the next five years and $6 billion through 2030.

The state’s unemployment rate has remained below the national rate for eight months in a row and has fallen by 0.2% over the year.

The state says the Centers for Disease Control's anti-COVID-19 safety protocols for the cruise ship industry are illegally burdensome and exceed its authority.

Over half of the $4.3 billion rise in the $96.6 billion budget proposal is related to costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city has leveraged $10 million in Miami Forever bond proceeds by 20 times to provide $200 million to build affordable housing units.

While Florida has gained jobs for eight straight months, Fitch warns it could take up to four years for the travel, leisure and hospitality sectors to recover, areas that play an important role in the Sunshine State's economy.

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez talks with Chip Barnett of The Bond Buyer about what makes the Magic City so appealing to companies and investors alike right now. He discusses the attractiveness of its business climate, the city’s financial strengths, efforts to fight climate change and the diversity and resilience of its residents. (7 minutes)

Florida's triple-A ratings face an ongoing vulnerability because of the fiscal and economic impacts of COVID-19, its annual debt report warns.

The municipal market can best be described as a "Goldilocks market" due to accommodative federal monetary policy, strong demand and limited supply, bond director Ben Watkins told the Cabinet.

Task forces studying three proposed toll road projects failed to conclude if there is a need for the new corridors or modifications of existing roads.

Although November posted the lowest monthly volume total this year, issuance has already exceeded 2019's total and is on track to set a new yearly record in 2020.

Top-rated muni yields fell by as much as 10 basis points on the AAA curves on Wednesday the largest move better for the market since late April, early May. ICI reported $1.2B of muni bond fund inflows.

The Florida Department of Transportation extended the suspension of Garcon Point Bridge toll collections because it is being used as a detour.

Long-term municipal bond volume is on pace to set a new record of yearly issuance, thanks in part to issuers rushing to market before the election and a continued taxable boom.

The most significant revenue loss in Florida continues to be the drop in sales tax collections in the tourism and hospitality industries.

Toll collections on the Garcon Point Bridge have been suspended since mid-September because of Hurricane Sally, pitting the bond trustee against the state of Florida again.

Florida is taking public comments about a toll road program that would add more than 300 miles of highway across broad swaths of the state.

Even with revised estimates amid the pandemic, year-over-year revenue collections in Florida were down 4.6% in August compared with 2019.

Florida State University's voluntary disclosure on lower dormitory occupancy is an example of providing timely information, Moody's Investors Service said.