Southeast

Gilt-edged Georgia has refinanced approximately $658 million of its outstanding general obligation bonds at lower interest rates that will save the state more than $35 million of debt service, including $18.3 million in the state’s current fiscal year, Gov. Sonny Perdue announced.

Florida’s Senate president, Jeff Atwater, R-Palm Beach, has announced the creation of a new Senate Budget Office to provide greater oversight of legislative expenditures.

Voters in Birmingham went to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new mayor but a crowded field of more than a dozen candidates on the ballot resulted in a runoff to be held Jan. 19 between Patrick Cooper, an attorney who led with 40% of the ballots cast, and Jefferson County commissioner William Bell, who took 25% of votes.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Florida House yesterday passed a bill adopting a statewide passenger rail policy and creating a commission to oversee existing and new rail projects.

DALLAS — More students enrolled in Louisiana’s public schools and more state prisoners held in local jails are the two main factors in a potential fiscal 2010 budget shortfall of $145 million outlined Friday to lawmakers by Commissioner of Administration Angèle Davis.

BRADENTON, Fla. — On the heels of a rating upgrade to triple-A, the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government Water Works Board in Kentucky tomorrow plans to competitively sell $78.5 million of tax-exempt advance refunding bonds and $127.8 million of federally taxable Build America Bonds.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday approved Gov. Charlie Crist’s request to impanel a statewide grand jury to conduct a year-long investigation into government corruption.

North Carolina is hoping to capitalize on the recession’s silver lining by financing highway construction with an innovative contract between the state and private contractors — a deal that could accomplish one of Gov. Beverly Perdue’s transportation goals, even though the state treasurer’s office has expressed some reservations.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Against the backdrop of an annual internal audit critical of some of Miami’s budget practices, two agencies have assigned ratings to the city’s upcoming sale of $120 million of revenue bonds with the proceeds financing a parking garage for a Major League Baseball stadium.

DALLAS — The Louisiana State Bond Commission yesterday agreed to the issuance of up to $350 million of 42-year mortgage revenue bonds under a new federal program for low- and medium-income families.