News and Information from Bond Buyer

The $380 million request for the zoo to voters in three Portland-area counties is the largest bond measure on the May 21 statewide primary ballot.

The "historical runway" heading into Memorial Day is favorable, rolling into the summer redemption months of June through August, said James Pruskowski, chief investment officer at 16Rock Asset Management.

The Build America Bureau has $100 million in grants available over the next five years for public entities doing pre-development work to structure public private partnerships for transportation and transit-oriented development projects. 

The loan, which features a 2.5% interest rate, will finance nearly half of a community building in downtown Mount Vernon, Washington.

An amended bill that would clear the way for the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority to issue bonds for its purchase of the Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King's The Shining, advanced out of a Senate committee.

Proposed rulemaking on the FDTA is expected in June, but clarity on what exactly it means for the muni market is years down the line.

Healthcare issuance is up 122.2% year-over-year through April, rising to $9.062 billion through the first four months of 2024 from $4.078 billion over the same time period in 2023, LSEG data shows.

Issuance has increased, but financial performance and ratings are likely to stay volatile.

Strong and growing sales tax revenues support the bonds. Repayment isn't tied to ridership, which has declined.

Polk County, Iowa is issuing $113 million of general obligation capital loan notes, Series 2024A, for the Des Moines Airport Authority's new terminal project.

Munis posted losses in April, returning negative 1.24%. The asset class is also seeing losses of 1.62% year-to-date.

Alaska's efforts to manage its cyclical revenues brought an upgrade from S&P Global Ratings and positive outlook from Moody's Ratings.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has already pledged to try to overturn the rule in Congress.

April's volume stood at $40.456 billion in 653 issues, up 21.2% from $33.377 billion in 666 issues in 2023.

The panel discussion will provide an updated outlook on the water situation in the state. More specifically, we will look to understand: Developments with Texas Water Fund, Desalination projects

As a number of large banks are limited in their ability to do business with governmental entities, the question becomes how large commercial paper issuers will address their liquidity needs and what ripple effect that will have on other issuers in the state. Among the points of discussion will be: SB 13 and 19, Net Zero Alliance

Considering the devastation and the cost associated with it, any strategies involving city-planning must incorporate ways to deal with very real weather events and the protection of communities. To that extent: What are the current plans for fortifying the infrastructure in Texas and across the nation?, Preparing for extreme heat, lack of water, storms and addressing their impact on municipalities and their ability to deal with it all

The Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA) calls for the use of structured data standards by municipal bond issuers in a program that will be implemented by the SEC. Attend this session to learn about: The impact on government entities, What are data standards?, When will governments be required to comply?, What can we learn from other structured data programs implemented by the SEC?

Given the state's explosive growth, its transportation infrastructure – including roads, rail lines, airports, marine ports, and waterways – will need to be significantly expanded and improved. What is the outlook for the transportation sector?

As the sector attempts to get a handle on labor pressures and other challenges, where do things stand at this time?