News and Information from Bond Buyer

1/13/2016 1/6/2016 State Iss Amount ($000s) Iss Amount ($000s) Chg in Amt ($000s) Alabama 0 $0 0 $0 0 Florida 3 344,740 9 763,995 -419,255 Georgia 0 0 1 7,450 -7,450 Kentucky 10 265,190 5 45,325 219,865 Louisiana 3 70,250 1 66,875 3,375 Mississippi 1 4,905 0 0 4,905 North Carolina 1 25,000 3 147,005 -122,005 South Carolina 5 124,095 7 527,905 -403,810 Tennessee 1 3,460 1 5,185 -1,725 Virginia 2 363,460 1 330,125 33,335 West Virginia 1 21,000 0 0 21,000

Government

Puerto Rico general obligation bondholders are complaining that Puerto Rico has repeatedly cancelled negotiating sessions.

The Chicago City Council signed off on a $2.45 billion borrowing package that was temporarily trimmed by $800 million due to council members’ questions over capital projects and the administration’s swap termination plans.

Andrew Cuomo proposed a $145.3 billion budget for the 2017 fiscal year and reiterated his call for transformative infrastructure initiatives in his State of the State speech.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board on Tuesday released a regulatory notice detailing new core conduct requirements for municipal advisors.

Rhode Island Senate Finance Committee Chairman Daniel Da Ponte filed a bill that would require a limit for total bonded debt for state government, quasi-public and municipalities.

Massachusetts celebrates and Connecticut winces as General Electric announces plans to move its world headquarters to Boston.

Top-quality municipal bonds finished steady to stronger on Wednesday, according to traders, as an Illinois issuer sold bonds one day after the city of Chicago came to market and one day ahead of the state’s big competitive sale.

The St. Louis Rams beat out two other National Football League franchises and won the league’s permission to relocate to the Los Angeles area, where they plan to build a stadium in Inglewood.

The municipal bond insurance industry took another step forward in their comeback, wrapping almost 36% more in par value in 2015 and increasing market share to the highest in five years.

Capital needs are rising in the public transportation sector as aging infrastructure must be repaired or replaced, S&P says.

Florida's legislative session began Tuesday, with Gov. Rick Scott focused on tax cuts and lawmakers weighing two major proposals that would affect public utility bonds.

Indicator Last Report Forecast Actual Treasury Budget Nov.: -$64.6B Dec.: -$11.0B Dec.: -$14.4B

Nine districts reported economic expansion since the previous Beige Book report, while Boston contacts were said to be "upbeat," and New York and Kansas City reported flat activity.

The federal government ran a $14.6 billion budget deficit in December, the Treasury Department reported Wednesday.

Washington state will issue $673 million of highly rated general obligation bonds next week.

Alex Doñé will take on additional duties at the New York City comptroller’s Bureau of Asset Management while Michael Haddad will join it.

The Treasury Department auctioned $21 billion of 9-year 10-month notes with a 2 1/4% coupon at a 2.090% high yield, a price of 101.412894.

Top-quality municipal bonds weakened slightly by mid-session, according to traders, as an Illinois issuer sold bonds one day after the city of Chicago came to market and one day ahead of the state's sale on Thursday.