Southeast

Kentucky’s general fund receipts for July, the first month of fiscal 2012, were $693.2 million, a 6.9% rise from last July, budget director Mary Lassiter said.

A ruling by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in June handing Georgia a victory over drinking water withdrawal rights from tributaries in the Atlanta area may be in jeopardy. Alabama and Florida last week asked the appellate court to reconsider its ruling in the so-called water war between the states that has gone on well over a decade.

In July, the first month of fiscal 2012, triple-A rated Georgia saw net tax collections of $1.2 billion, an increase of 7.3% over the same month a year ago. Officials saw increases in many tax categories.

Miami City Manager Johnny Martinez Monday declared a financial urgency to open new talks on collective bargaining agreements with four unions covering police, fire fighters and city workers.

Birmingham voters go to the polls next Tuesday to decide among six candidates who will be the next mayor of Alabama’s biggest city. Mayor William Bell, who won the office in January 2010, is seeking reelection.

Brighton notified the bond market Tuesday that it failed to comply with continuing disclosure requirements regarding the filing of financial reports.

WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service has closed an audit of the Highlands County Health Facilities Authority's 2005 refunding bonds with no change to their tax-exempt status.

BRADENTON, Fla.— Standard & Poor's has lowered to AA-plus from AAA the issuer credit rating of the South Florida Water Management District, citing recent legislative changes that "significantly reduced the district's financial flexibility."

BRADENTON, Fla. - The small city of Brighton, Ala., has defaulted on general obligation warrants it issued in 2003.

DALLAS - A proposed $748 million capital improvement plan for East Baton Rouge Parish, La., was officially killed Wednesday night by the Metropolitan Council.