Southeast

DALLAS — Standard & Poor’s raised its rating Wednesday on Louisiana’s general obligation debt to AA from AA-minus due to the state’s willingness to resolve structural issues in its budget.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Two Virginia issuers that plan to price a combined $806 million of double-A rated tax-exempt bonds early next week should find plenty of investors to snap up the high-grade paper, according to market participants.

With 36 Alabama counties declared eligible for federal disaster assistance due to tornadoes and storms that ravaged the state on April 27, lawmakers took action to protect schools and homeowners.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Moody’s Investors Service Tuesday placed DeKalb County’s ratings under review for a downgrade, citing a strained liquidity position, doubts about achieving structural budgetary balance, and a larger-than-anticipated decline in taxable values.

Piper Jaffray & Co. has opened a new office in Charlotte, N.C., and made its first four hires as the investment bank continues its national expansion and strengthens its presence in the municipal trading and sales arena.

DALLAS — The Louisiana House Appropriations Committee declined Monday to give the go-ahead for construction of a $1.2 billion state hospital in New Orleans until a more complete business plan is developed.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal Monday signed SB 122 into law, authorizing the use of public-private partnerships to develop drinking-water supply and related infrastructure projects.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The devastating string of tornadoes in the Southeast last week killed hundreds of people while wiping homes and businesses off the map.

BRADENTON, Fla. — After nearly two decades of planning, a major runway extension project at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in South Florida is finally nearing takeoff.

DALLAS — Tolls on twin state bridges across the Mississippi River in New Orleans should be allowed to expire next year with the final payment on the bonds that financed the spans, an advocacy group argues.