News and Information from Bond Buyer

Freight transport executives are pushing Sacramento to support California ports by making them a funding priority.

The chairman of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority proposed a series of steps to free the agency’s $32 billion capital plan from state limbo.

For the first time in 11 weeks, municipal bond funds reported cash inflows.

The Illinois legislative audit commission has formally launched its search for candidates to replace retiring auditor general William Holland.

Santa Barbara, Calif., will borrow $55 million from the state to reopen a closed desalination plant as it deals with a serious drought.

Prices of top-shelf municipal bonds finished stronger on Thursday, according to traders, with yields on some maturities falling by as much as four basis points. In the primary, the last big deal of the week came to market with the institutional pricing of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s transportation revenue refunding bonds.

Cook County, Il. won rare praise from a ratings agency Thursday when Moody’s Investors Service said a new sales tax increase to pay off pensions is a credit positive.

The Wisconsin Assembly will take up on Tuesday a financing plan that provides $250 million in public funds for a new Milwaukee Bucks arena.

Miami will consider a city-owned site next to Marlins Park for a Major League Soccer stadium sought by former soccer star David Beckham and his investors.

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority has five weeks to bridge remaining differences with its forbearing bondholders over how to deal with its $8.1 billion of bond debt.

A coalition of state and city finance officials led by Rhode Island Treasurer Seth Magaziner wants the SEC to require greater transparency from PE firms that manage public pension funds.

In a report with statewide resonance, an Orange County, Calif. civil grand jury report criticized the oversight of $2.7 billion of debt issued by community facilities districts in the county.

Senate debate gets under way on $317 billion, six-year transportation bill after Democrats soften opposition to revenue measures.

Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Philadelphia Gas Works to Baa1 from Baa2, citing a stabilized financial position.

The Treasury Department sold $15 billion of inflation-indexed 10-year TIPs at a 0.491% high yield, an adjusted price of 99.133176, with a 3/8% coupon.

While New York's MTA seeks funding for its proposed $32 billion capital plan, state officials are prodding the agency to expand in design-build project delivery.

Standard & Poor’s said Thursday that its junk ratings on Wayne County, Mich. will remain unchanged for now despite the declaration of a financial emergency.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it lowered its underlying rating on Dowagiac Union School District, Mich.'s general obligation debt to A-plus from AA-minus.

Prices of top-shelf municipal bonds were stronger at mid-session, according to traders, with yields on some maturities falling by as much as two basis points.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said its general obligation rating on Wayne Charter County, Mich., is unchanged following the declaration of financial emergency.