News and Information from Bond Buyer

A bill proposing that the rates of the Florida Municipal Power Agency should be regulated by a state agency could jeopardize its credit ratings, according to Moody Investors Service.

Despite seeing growth had moderated since its last meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee altered its statement so it could start the normalization process when appropriate beginning as early as June, according to the minutes of the March 17-18 meeting, released Wednesday.

Texas voters would get the final say on a Rep. John Otto's resolution passed overwhelmingly in the state House of Representatives to reduce the state's $44 billion of debt using excess revenue from the rainy day fund.

The Treasury Department auctioned $21 billion of 9-year 10-month notes with a 2% coupon at a 1.925% high yield, a price of 100.667141.

The market saw a bevy of issues sell on Wednesday, as JPMorgan priced the biggest one of the week, the North Texas Tollway Authority's $866.52 million deal.

Cheniere Energy's $12 billion liquefied natural gas export plant in Corpus Christi, Texas, appears the likeliest to obtain financing as others are cancelled, according to Moody's Investors Service.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it has lowered its long-term rating on Willacy County Public Facility Corp., Texas' existing debt to BBB from BBB-plus.

Moody's Investors Service said it has withdrawn the Baa1 insurance financial strength ratings of Assured Guaranty Re Ltd. and Assured Guaranty Re Overseas Ltd.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its underlying rating on DeKalb-Cherokee Counties Gas District, Ala.'s gas revenue debt one notch to A-plus from A.

Labor market conditions continued to improve as the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Labor Market Conditions Indicators (LMCI) narrowed to negative 0.262 in March from negative 0.330 in February, according to the Bank.

Governor David Ige on Tuesday announced his nominations to lead the Department of Land and Natural Resources and his choices for the Board of Education.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its rating on Brunswick County, N.C.'s general obligation debt one notch to AA-plus from AA and its rating on the county's appropriation-backed debt one notch to AA from AA-minus.

Anchorage, Alaska, voters have approved $59.25 million of bonds to expand and refurbish several elementary schools.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it lowered its long-term rating to A-minus from A on Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corp.'s series 2010A higher education facility revenue bonds issued for New England Institute of Technology (NEIT).

The municipal bond market was awaiting the pricing of the biggest deal of the week - the North Texas Tollway Authority's $871 million toll road offering.

The first rate hike by the Federal Open Market Committee could come at its June meeting, Fed Governor Jerome H. Powell said Wednesday, noting there must be confidence inflation will rise toward the 2% target in the medium term.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel won a second term Tuesday, fending off rival Jesus "Chuy" Garcia after casting him as ill-prepared to tackle the city's deep fiscal woes. Emanuel took 56% of the vote compared to Garcia's 44%.

Wednesday, April 8 Issuer St Description Amount

Wednesday, April 8 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of April 13 Issuer St Description Amount