News and Information from Bond Buyer

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it lowered its underlying rating one notch to BBB from BBB-plus on Fulton, N.Y.'s general obligation debt.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority intends to sell $1 billion of senior sales tax refunding bonds over the next two weeks.

A second environmental group is suing Florida over spending decisions related to a 2014 constitutional amendment earmarking funds for conservation purposes.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its rating to AA from AA-minus on Jackson County, Wis.' existing general obligation debt.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its rating on the town of Tewksbury, Mass., general obligation bonds to AA-plus from AA.

The South San Antonio Independent School District failed to use proper financial controls and failed to disclose conflicts of interest in carrying out its 2010 bond program, according to an investigation by the Texas Education Agency.

The federal government ran a $136.5 billion budget deficit in October, the Treasury Department reported Thursday.

Rating changes are likely for hundreds of credits as Moody's Investors Service prepares a methodology revision for moral obligations, lease-revenue bonds and other appropriation-backed credits.

Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro García Padilla said if the bondholders don’t agree to new terms on their debt, he will choose to pay for the needs of the people before paying the commonwealth’s creditors.

New York and New Jersey announced a deal to allow a long-stalled Amtrak tail runnel project between New York and New Jersey to move full steam ahead.

The Treasury Department Thursday auctioned $16 billion of 30-year bonds with a 3% coupon at a 3.070% high yield, a price of 98.633963.

The Federal Transit Administration estimates that more than $131 billion will be needed for transit systems in poor and marginal condition, including almost $86 billion to replace infrastructure that has already exceeded its useful life, Moody’s Investment Service said in a report issued on Thursday.

The three remaining notable deals have all hit screens Thursday, coming from issuers in California, Virginia and Illinois.

The economy is progressing, despite some issues, and the conditions may soon be met to allow the Federal Open Market Committee to begin normalization, Federal Reserve Bank of New York President and Chief Executive Officer William C. Dudley said Thursday, noting he would not predict whether rates will be increased at the FOMC December meeting.

Fitch Ratings said it has downgraded approximately $216.6 million of outstanding New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority revenue and revenue refunding bonds issued on behalf of The College of New Jersey issue to AA-minus from AA.

Indicator Last Report Forecast Actual Initial Jobless Claims 10/31: 276,000 11/7: 270,000 11/7: 276,000 Continuing Claims 10/24: 2.169M 10/31: 2.155M 10/31: 2.174M

Patrick Sweeney, Fidelity Capital Markets' senior vice president and manager of the municipal securities department, joined the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board Thursday, replacing Edward Tishelman, who left TD Securities.

The Treasury Department said it will auction $13 billion 9-year 8-month inflation-protected 3/8% notes on Nov. 19.

The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction $30 billion 91-day bills and $28 billion 182-day discount bills Monday.