Southeast

BRADENTON, Fla. — A proposed tax-credit program designed to raise money for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, and reduce its reliance on the bond market, is raising eyebrows and questions.

The Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission will study whether tolls on a six-mile stretch of Interstate 49 will support construction of the portion of the highway in Lafayette.

Completing Interstate 49 through a public-private partnership is one of the five state goals that were outlined last week by Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy.

Standard & Poor’s last week revised the outlook to stable from negative on Atlanta’s general obligation debt and appropriation-backed bonds issued on behalf of the city by various issuers.

Broward County, Fla., inspector general John Scott said Monday that top employees in the city of Lauderdale Lakes “have grossly mismanaged public funds entrusted to its care.”

The Birmingham City Council Tuesday approved a resolution urging Jefferson County’s legislative delegation to reinstate an occupational tax or give the county limited home rule.

Jefferson County, Ala., said Wednesday that it will no longer make payments on its general obligation warrants.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley is seeking transportation proposals that will be funded with the first round of financing from $600 million to $650 million of grant anticipation revenue vehicle bonds the state intends to sell.

DALLAS — Louisiana avoided paying swap termination fees totaling more than $66 million on second-lien gas and fuels tax bonds with replacement hedge agreements approved Friday by a special subcommittee of the State Bond Commission.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Miami officials have been told that civil charges may be brought against the city for failing to disclose serious budget problems in recent bond offerings.