News and Information from Bond Buyer

As Congress ponders a solution to Puerto Rico’s financial crisis, some members of the buy side community say a comprehensive debt restructuring could create buying opportunities.

The consumer confidence index increased to 96.2 in March from a revised 94.0 last month, The Conference Board reported Tuesday.

Municipal bond traders are set for the first of the week’s new issue slate to come to market on Tuesday, led off by a big negotiated deal from Houston schools and a small competitive sale from the state of Michigan.

Sean Carney, director and head of municipal strategy at BlackRock, looks at possible ripple effects from market participants who have not worked during a rising rate environment, the recent popularity of taxable bonds and the supply/demand dynamics that are taking place in the municipal marketplace in a chat with Bond Buyer reporter Aaron Weitzman.

Mar. 29, 2016 Southwest: Plain/Insured GO Yield Curve* State Ratings One-Year Five-Year 10-Year 30-Year Arizona Aa3/AA+/NR 0.6 1.25 2.04 3 Arkansas Aa1/AA/NR 0.56 1.17 1.91 2.85 Colorado Aa1/AA/NR 0.57 1.23 2 2.98 Kansas Aa2/AA/NR 0.57 1.22 2 2.94 New Mexico Aaa/AA+/NR 0.57 1.17 1.92 2.88 Oklahoma Aa2/AA+/AA+ 0.57 1.23 2.02 2.98 Texas Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.57 1.23 1.97 2.93 Utah Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.55 1.12 1.82 2.76

3/28/2016 3/21/2016 State Amount ($000s) Iss Amount ($000s) Chg in Amt ($000s) Arizona 6 $128,890 5 $255,765 -$126,875 Arkansas 9 45,600 6 34,455 11,145 Colorado 0 0 3 396,090 -396,090 Kansas 5 119,740 4 96,780 22,960 New Mexico 1 12,500 1 12,500 0 Oklahoma 19 123,000 17 138,450 -15,450 Texas 26 1,228,650 45 1,894,800 -666,150 Utah 0 0 1 87,225 -87,225

GEORGIA

Tuesday, March 29 Issuer St Description Amount

Tuesday, March 29 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of March 28 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of March 28 Issuer St Description Amount

KANSAS

Government

A federal court ruling Monday has at least temporarily eliminated 0.48% of Puerto Rico’s revenue stream.

Puerto Rico officials and observers of the commonwealth’s continued fiscal turmoil are saying a circulated congressional proposal to help the territory is concerning in its current form and are waiting for an updated draft that is expected from the lead committee on the issue in Congress on Tuesday.

New Jersey labor unions are calling for the state’s pension fund to scale back its alternative investments to help cut down on fees paid to Wall Street firms.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority could ask voters to approve an additional half cent sales tax in addition to extending one passed in 2008 to fund $120 billion of transportation projects.

Top quality municipal bonds finished unchanged in quiet activity on Monday as trading resumed after the long Easter holiday weekend.

Rep. Steve Russell, R-Okla., introduced a bill in the House last week that would prohibit the use of tax-exempt bonds to build professional sports stadiums and for-profit entertainment arenas.

Mississippi state senators approve a placeholder measure that keeps a proposed gas tax increase on the table.