Southeast

John Boyd, principal at The Boyd Company, chats with Chip Barnett about how the COVID-19 pandemic and hybrid work has altered the way companies look at cities and states when they think about locations for their headquarters. (20 minutes)

Elected officials in Republican-dominated states say S&P Global Ratings, by introducing ESG analysis, is politicizing the ratings process or even possibly acting illegally.

Several states have passed, or are considering, legislation to bar local governments from making payments to criminals who hold computer systems hostage.

While the report offers many positives for states, headwinds loom, according to investment management firm Conning.

Moody’s Investors Service raised the city's rating, noting noted a trend of strong finances, a diverse economy and a willingness to tackle pension issues.

If the deal closes, the two systems say they will evaluate existing debt structures and combine credits where possible and beneficial.

The Louisiana House passed a bill to limit firms that "discriminate" against the firearms industry from government business. A similar bill was vetoed last year.

The special district formed for the Walt Disney Company in Florida is to be dissolved under a new state law driven by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The state's Local Government Commission approved more than $1.5 billion in bond and financing agreements, including more than $600 million for the airports.

Michael Rinaldi, head of local government ratings at Fitch, talks with Chip Barnett about the murky financial picture after the move by Gov. Ron DeSantis to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District after Disney Co. said it plans to fight to repeal the new “Don’t Say Gay” law. (12 minutes)