News and Information from Bond Buyer

Atlanta's airport lost $57 million of funding for the current fiscal year. Other issuers have even more at stake.

Muni yields rose up to eight basis points, depending on the scale, with the largest losses again on the front-end of the curve.

The Trump administration is ending Chicago Public Schools' access to $8 million in fiscal year 2026 grant funding, the Department of Education said.

Bond attorneys are pondering language governing tax-exempt bonds used to finance spaceports.

"If the open jacket policy is actually implemented—which we in the defense bar hope is the case—it would be a welcome reform," one attorney said.

Republicans established the fund to ease pressure on rural providers facing Medicaid and ACA insurance cuts.

Seven filings were submitted in response to President Donald Trump's request for the Supreme Court to remove barriers from ousting Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook before litigation proceeds. Most filings argued for the Court to deny the president's application.

The rating agency pointed to potential financial pressure from tax and other changes on the federal level for the state's outlook revision.

Serving on MSRB's Board of Directors over the past four years has been a privilege and an honor.

Andrew Nakahata officially takes the helm of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank on Wednesday.

The short-end correction has been "driven by a solid labor market report, which pushed Treasury yields higher as expectations for additional Fed rate cuts tempered," said Alice Cheng, director of municipal credit and investor strategy at Janney.

Deston High School defaulted on series 2021A, 2022A and 2022B bonds.

How Congress and the Trump administration navigate the next several months carries implications for municipal issuers and investors.

Bond lawyers, municipalities, and transportation officials are moving towards greater use of public private partnerships for infrastructure projects bogged down by capital constraints and high risk.

The Fayetteville City Council will decide in October whether to put bonds backed by an extension of a one-cent sales tax on the March 2026 ballot.

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Jeff Schmid said that the central bank should continue its focus on curbing inflation, as the job market is "largely in balance."

The state's government now expects general fund revenues to decline 2.3% in the current fiscal year from the previous fiscal year.

S&P Global Ratings warned that Indiana's property tax reform law, Senate Enrolled Act 1, creates uncertainty for local income tax-backed debt.

Retail offerings from California and Connecticut led the market Wednesday.

It affirmed the California city's Aaa issuer rating, but cited the drag on revenues from tepid tourism numbers and liabilities from child sexual abuse claims.

Housing advocates are resuming a fracas with the federal government over Build America, Buy America requirements they claim are slowing down efforts to build more affordable housing, which relies on private activity bonds.

If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the two bills, it would be credit positive for San Francisco area transit, Moody's Ratings analysts said.

An SEC investigation "is not a litigation," said Kathleen Marcus, a partner at Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth.

A lawsuit filed in federal court by 17 states against the Trump administration targets a presidential memorandum ending federal approvals for wind energy.

Secondary selling pressure and the larger calendar weighed on the market Tuesday.

The ever-rising cost of projects is the number one financial challenge for municipalities, according to the latest survey from the National League of Cities.

Chicago is returning to market with a $375 million deal for O'Hare Airport, according to multiple rating reports, with more on the way.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced it has achieved a hiring goal for new air traffic controllers as the threat of a government shutdown looms in the background.

The outlook revision to negative for the Texas Biomedical Research Institute cited weakened liquidity and reliance on federal grants, the rating agency said.

The nearly-complete offshore wind power generation project can resume construction while it fights a stop-work order from the Trump administration.

Two triple-A bond deals from the Lone Star State to finance water-related projects are scheduled to price this week in the municipal market.

"On a month-to-date basis, AAA munis have outperformed Treasuries across the entire curve. … This outperformance can be attributable to an improvement in market technicals," said Daryl Clements, a portfolio manager at AllianceBernstein.

The Pennsylvania government is still kicking the can down the road on public transit funding. This time, it's using capital funds to plug operating gaps. 

A bill to provide state credit support for housing finance and another to create an infrastructure bank were placed in the legislature's suspense file.

Advocates have floated similar measures repeatedly over the course of several administrations with no luck.

The college's most recent annual comprehensive financial report is for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, and S&P is concerned by the lack of timely reporting.

The administration wants the project "to be a model of how to build quickly and cost effectively," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

Doña Ana County taxable industrial revenue bonds, which will be sold to participants in the project, will enable the project to access a variety of tax breaks.

The state government is holding back school aid while it waits for lawmakers to pass a budget. That's hurting some schools more than others. 

"A lawsuit like this is probably critical for any future settlements or agreements, because it will (maybe) determine up front if the incoming [board] members, and thus whatever agreements they sign, are valid or not," said Matt Fabian, a partner at Municipal Market Analytics.

Munis have outperformed USTs and corporates by more than 1.0% month-to-date on the heels of this rally so far, BofA strategists said.

Minnesota school districts face a financial crunch as the end of pandemic relief funds coincides with rising expenses, lower enrollment and labor pressures.

For the 24th year, The Bond Buyer editorial board will identify and recognize the year's most outstanding municipal finance transactions. Nominations close on Tuesday, October 14.

BDA plans to hold the fly-ins twice a year, CEO Mike Nicholas said.

All of fiscal 2025 was funded under continuing appropriations instead of the traditional appropriations process.

Troy Pitman has been hired by Wilmington Trust to further western expansion in the public finance segment of its corporate trust business.

The city faces hundreds of child sex abuse claims stemming from a former after-school program volunteer. A recent state law opened the window for old claims.

Fitch cited the system's operating performance and plans for up to $4.2 billion in addional debt.

Munis saw cuts, albeit small ones, for the first time in nearly two weeks as yields rose up to four basis points, depending on the scale.

The East Baton Rouge Sewerage Commission plans to achieve savings by refunding taxable bonds with tax-exempts.

Bondholders are pitted against each other in the case, where it looks like the majority holders may become owners of the distressed companies.

Backers of a voter-approved public safety funding proposition that led to a negative rating outlook by Moody's said the budget fails to comply with the measure.

Capital Group joins a small, but growing number of shops that have added, or considered adding, muni ETFs to their model portfolios.

The SEC-approved amendments will become effective in two stages, the MSRB said.

Unless the state government makes changes to revenue or expenditures Florida faces a combined deficit of $8.1 billion in fiscal years 2027-28 and 2028-29.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's Financial Future Task Force released an interim report this week on Chicago's structurally imbalanced budget.

The rating agency cited New Jersey's "robust budgetary surplus" while continuing to make actuarially based pension contributions.

By the close, muni yields were bumped up to four basis points, depending on the curve, while UST yields rose two to five basis points.

Walter O'Connor's decades-long tenure as a municipal bond portfolio manager at BlackRock will come to an end next year. 

A congressional budget impasse is leading toward a stopgap funding measure via a continuing resolution which could solve a budget shortage in the District of Columbia.

The House oversight subcommittee hearing was titled "Virtue Signaling vs. Vital Services."

Ohio politicians are racing to deliver relief as a citizens group gathers signatures for a November 2026 ballot initiative to end property taxes in the state.

As the "slope of the municipal yield curve remains extremely steep and long bonds are cheap relative to U.S. Treasuries," Daryl Clements, a portfolio manager at AllianceBernstein, predicts "long municipal bonds have a long way to go until they are considered fair value."

A group of bondholders are floating fresh financing to a bankrupt metals recycler that elevates their bonds above other holders.

Minnesota plans to go to market Sept. 23 with a $1.27 billion general obligation bond sale.

Andrew Nakahata will replace Scott Wu as executive director and CEO less than a year after joining the organization.

Bond attorneys are eyeballing the possibility of attaching a tax title to the surface transportation reauthorization that could include issues of great interest to the municipal bond community as the appropriations process remains stuck in first gear.

The White House said it will appeal a circuit court ruling allowing Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook to remain on the central bank board while her lawsuit challenging her dismissal is litigated.

Despite the expected rate cut, analysts will be watching the Federal Open Market Committee's actions for other reasons.

Utilities, and the local governments and states that house data centers, are wrestling with policy questions about who should cover the costs of the projected spikes in water and electricity demand.

The Senate voted 48 to 47 to confirm Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve Board, just ahead of the central bank's rate setting committee meeting.

"This was a much-needed rally as the long end struggled throughout the year, but now has been pushed back into positive territory," said Jason Wong, vice president of municipals at AmeriVet Securities.

Infrastructure like vertiports may be financed with municipal bonds.

Lawmakers passed California Gov. Gavin Newsom's expansive energy package, including a bill to extend the state's cap-and-invest program.

A TIF fund established by the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority supporting a troubled hotel renovation project in downtown Alexandria, Virginia, is reported to be in default.

The authority's borrowing apparatus is maintaining a business-as-usual approach it embarks on a massive new capital program and fends off federal cuts.

Cook County, Illinois, plans to go to market Oct. 1 with $150 million of sales tax revenue bonds. The deal comes on the heels of a Moody's upgrade to Aa3.

Fitch cited improved long-term liability metrics.

Tax-exempt munis, supported by USTs, are having a very good month as MMD yields are down 30 to 35 basis points out long, and both the investment-grade and high-yield indices are seeing gains of more than 2% month-to-date, Barclays strategists led by Mikhail Foux said.

The medal recognizes distinguished service in public finance overall.

California's governor and legislative leaders agreed to extend the state's cap-and-trade program and dedicate one-fourth of the funding to high-speed rail.

Turmoil and turnover at the Internal Revenue Service is causing headaches for bond attorneys attempting to comply with audits or searching for answers about complex public finance issues.

The Puerto Rico Energy Bureau has about 150 days to set new rates for consumers.

Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority's ratings were raised by Moody's, which, along with S&P, upgraded North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority's.

The appelate ruling in favor of the San Juan Unified School District helps clarify what districts can finance under the state laws governing bond elections.

Investors added $2.183 billion to municipal bond mutual funds in the week ended Wednesday, following $623.3 million of inflows the prior week, according to LSEG Lipper data.

Sanchez cited affordable housing and "project-based" types of transactions as areas "where we are seeing … lawyers more openly engaging in structuring that might be problematic." 

The rating agency's review was triggered by the city's move to effectively end plans for a seawater desalination project that has $235 million of bonds outstanding.

With an insolvent Highway Trust Fund, toll revenue and PABs are increasingly important for transportation financing, lobbyists said.

The White House has appealed a D.C. District Court ruling allowing Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook to remain on the Fed board pending the outcome of her challenge to President Trump's moves to fire her.

Changes in how Low-Income Housing Tax Credits are awarded has bond attorneys searching for answers in government offices that have been hollowed out through layoffs and retirements.

State government own-source revenue declined 2.3% in fiscal 2025 from the totals in fiscal 2024.

The commission also approved an audit for the financially troubled Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District.

Fitch Ratings joined Moody's in upgrading Connecticut this week as the state prepares to sell $1.8 billion of general obligation bonds.

October is looking to be another blockbuster month for supply, with several $1 billion-plus deals on the shadow calendar, said Pat Luby, head of municipal strategy at CreditSights. 

The Senate Banking Committee voted 13-11 to favorably recommend Stephen Miran's nomination for the Federal Reserve Board to the full Senate.

A mix of broader market dynamics and Chicago-specific pressures is driving the widening spreads, investors said.

Michigan lawmakers must pass a 2026 budget before Oct. 1, but the Republican-controlled state House and Democratic-controlled Senate are far apart.

Chicago Public Schools plans to return to market with $650 million of Series 2025A unlimited tax general obligation bonds.

Analysts credited governance improvements Connecticut put in place in 2018, which have reduced the state's liabilities and improved its reserves. 

The muni market is in a position to rally in the latter part of this year, said Daryl Clements, a portfolio manager at AllianceBernstein.

California lawmakers, who announced a deal with Gov. Gavin Newsom in June, say his administration failed to agree on loan terms ahead this week's deadline.

While victims' attorneys now signal support for the settlement, bond attorneys still oppose the plan.

Maryland's comptroller reports the state is projecting a $189 million drop in general fund revenue due to the unfolding effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which could result in the state decoupling from federal tax laws.

The mega-mall's investors will receive their second payment since the reserve fund ran dry in 2022.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered lawmakers back into session to mitigate the impact on hospitals, Medicaid, and other programs from federal policy changes.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport plans to sell $2 billion of revenue bonds this week as it continues financing for a $12 billion capital program.

Monday's rally is a "continuation of what we are seeing," as the market is actively repositioning where it needs to go, said Alice Cheng, director of municipal credit and investor strategy at Janney.

Kutak Rock's Matthias Edrich will begin his one-year term as NABL's president Sept. 10.

Several major cities are staring down budget deficits and credit downgrades as the effects of inflation and OBBBA trickles down while relationships with their states adds complexity.

The Minnesota Health and Education Facilities Authority will help nonprofit healthcare organizations finance capital projects.

The hire comes as more BAM clients are considering public-private partnership financing structures.

The market strength is a carryover from Friday, when munis rallied upo 12 basis points after a weaker-than-expected jobs report solidified expectations for a September rate cut. This was the largest single-day rally since April.

From leases for floating wind farms to projects nearly finished with construction, no offshore generation project is safe from the Trump administration.

Muni yields were bumped two to 12 basis points, depending on the scale, with the largest gains out long, and UST yields fell six to nine basis points, pushing the two-year UST to its lowest levels in over two years.

With the estimated cost rising to $1.2 billion, the city council took action to end planning for the project, sparking concerns about outstanding bonds.

The school had less than one time debt service coverage last fiscal year.

The Trump administration's immigration policies are "undermining the country's ability to build infrastructure and construction programs," the Associated General Contractors of America said.

With Congress back in session the lobbying for infrastructure funding is heating up.

The rally stemmed from the weak nonfarm payrolls report and revisions brought down the three-month average to 29,000 jobs per month, further solidifying the chance of a rate cut in September, said Chris Brigati, managing director and CIO at SWBC.

Nevada's audited 2023 financials were released more than two years after the fiscal year ended. The state controller says structural changes will reduce delays.

Investors added $672.3 million to municipal bond mutual funds in the week ended Wednesday, following $590.4 million of inflows the prior week, according to LSEG Lipper data.

The Civic Federation and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago co-hosted an event on Wednesday titled "Taxing Times, Smarter Strategies."

"We are expecting a lot of interest in the offering next week," said Geoff Urbina, managing director, KeyBanc Capital Markets Public Finance.

Differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill, which targeted cities and counties, could not be resolved.

Stephen Miran will take unpaid leave from and might seek to return to President Trump's Council of Economic Advisers, he said, raising conflict of interest questions in his nomination hearing for a seat on the Federal Reserve Board.

Ketner is Baird's second hire in the higher education and nonprofit sectors in the last 30 days.

A injunction blocked the service cuts that would have balanced SEPTA's budget. 

The marquee project of many funded by next week's bond sale is the widening of the airport's Concourse D and the building of a Delta Sky Club lounge above it. 

Looking solely at internal factors, "the municipal market itself is still doing well, reasonably via the temporary drop in new issue supply amid a more lasting reduction in reinvestment flows," said Matt Fabian, a partner at Municipal Market Analytics.

The bill enjoys the support of local government and public utility groups.

BondLink's client issuers reached over $500 billion in bond sales while working with the municipal bond platform.

The bankruptcy court told bondholders and other creditors they should vote on the proposed reorganization by Oct. 29.

The state has teed up a $21.5 billion, six-year transportation budget as it deals with the fallout from federal workforce cuts, a credit downgrade, and a feud with the Trump administration.

Controller Chris Hollins warned the city lacks sufficient reserves to deal with weather-related disasters in the face of reduced federal financial assistance.

Moody's revised Chicago's outlook to stable from positive and affirmed the city's Baa3 issuer and general obligation unlimited tax ratings.

"Ozi's focus on building lasting relationships and his prudent risk management make him well-suited for this leadership role," said Charles Peck, Wells Fargo's head of municipal products.

The underwriting firm's hires will expand its real estate development finance group and Southeast operations.

"It doesn't take but one comment or one market-moving data point to cause ETFs to shift the market pretty considerably," said Ajay Thomas, head of public finance at FHN Financial.

The Westin Chicago Lombard's owner is returning to market with unrated bonds designed to cure payment defaults on debt issued to exit bankruptcy in 2018.

The Chicago Board of Education passed a balanced $10.26 billion budget that leaves the city government to pick up non-teacher pension contributions.

Thanks to strong technicals and the anticipated interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve at its September meeting, municipal bonds posted positive returns of 0.87% in August, reversing their losses of 0.20% in July, according to Jason Wong, vice president municipals at AmeriVet Securities.

"As soon as you step back from the table, you may wind up on it," NABL's chief policy officer said.

Aleon Metals, along with its subsidiaries, which sold more than $300 million of tax-exempt revenue bonds since 2019, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcies in August.

"Another set of eyes helps improve the deal for everybody, including the borrower, because the borrower is going to want a successful venture too," said John Miller, head and chief investment officer of First Eagle's municipal credit team.

Special budget sessions, falling tax revenues and provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are combining with tariffs and cuts to the federal workforce to create headaches for the states.

Issuance year-to-date is at $386.689 billion, up 14.9% from $336.478 billion over the same period in 2024.

Data center projects, which are proliferating across the country, are taking advantage of tax breaks that can be costly for states and local governments.

Issuance for the week of Sept. 2 is at an estimated $7.457 billion, with $6.179 billion of negotiated deals and $1.278 billion of competitive deals on tap, according to LSEG.

Philadelphia's economy has been growing. But deep cuts Pennsylvania may impose on the regional public transportion system could have serious negative impacts.

Legacy Health, an eight-hospital Portland, Ore.-based healthcare system, that abandoned merger plans in May received a downgrade and negative outlook from Moody's Ratings.

Treasurer Brad Briner said the unused money was in state accounts for years.

The state will tap reserve funds, close tax loopholes and cut spending to address a more than $1 billion shortfall in its fiscal 2026 budget.

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller criticized his fellow Federal Open Market Committee members for not cutting interest rates in July, but said he is "hopeful" that easing monetary policy soon can keep the labor market from "deteriorating."

The world's biggest opera house has been downgraded for the second time this year.

The GOP reconciliation bill will cut $888 million in revenue from Oregon, state economists said, because its state tax laws conform with federal law changes.

With the break in issuance this week, the market has firmed a bit, said Tim McGregor, managing partner at Riverbend Capital Advisors.

If the SEC grants exemptive relief to firms seeking to offer a multi-class structure, "we will see more ETFs of actively managed municipal bond strategies."

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced plans to take over the operations at Washington Union Station while curtailing a $10 billion expansion project.

The rating agency cited increases in enrollment and improved net tuition revenues.