News and Information from Bond Buyer

Litigation seeking to block Chicago from implementing its 2014 pension reforms until a legal challenge is decided was put on hold at the plaintiffs' request.

A Feb. 23 New Jersey State Superior Court ruling saying pension contributions are contractually protected is a credit negative for the Garden State since it adds a further obstacle to cutting future employee benefits that will further pressure budgets, according to Moody's Investors Service.

Moody's Investors Service revised its outlook for Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Mercy Medical Center to stable from negative Feb. 24, when it affirmed the medical center's A2

The Texas State University System combined new money and refunding in a $314.8 million issue that drew attractive yields for the issuer.

The Kentucky House has passed major legislation that would authorize the state to use public-private partnerships.

Assured Guaranty’s net income for the fourth quarter and 2014 rose as the bond insurer continued to rebuild market share.

The Obama administration has no Plan B for the revenue that would be needed to support its proposed $478 billion, six-year transportation measure if Congress fails to pass its corporate tax reform proposals, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Thursday.

Doral Financial Corp. has vowed to appeal a court decision in favor of Puerto Rico concerning $229 million in taxes.

Prices of top-shelf municipal bonds finished slightly stronger on Thursday, traders said, with yields on some maturities slipping by as much as two basis points. In the primary market, the New York City Transitional Finance Authority’s and the New Orleans Aviation Board came to market.

A state bill enabling Indianapolis to borrow $84 million for a new soccer stadium in downtown Indianapolis has sparked a debate that echoes the national debate over sports facility financing.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its long-term rating and underlying rating on Dadeville Waterworks & Sewage Board, Ala.'s water and sewer revenue debt one notch to A-minus from BBB-plus.

June should be an option for liftoff and the Federal Open Market Committee should remove the reference to "patient" in statement after its March meeting, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Loretta Mester said in a televised interview Thursday.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it has lowered its underlying rating for credit program on Trinity Area School District, Pa.'s existing general obligation debt two notches to A-minus from A-plus.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its long-term rating on Parishwide School District of Ascension Parish, La.'s outstanding unenhanced debt to AA from AA-minus.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating bonds issued in 2013 by the former scandal-ridden Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority and underwritten by Citi.

Moody's Investors Service revised the Baa1-rated United Nations International School's outlook to negative.

Ten local governments in the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale petroleum producing regions of Texas are particularly susceptible to a slump in oil prices, and Moody's Investors Service is reviewing them for downgrades.

The board of New York's MTA has qualified military-oriented investment firms Academy Securities and Drexel Hamilton LLC for co-manager assignments on bond transactions.

Legislation that would allow government-owned corporations in Puerto Rico to reorganize through Chapter 9 may face an uphill battle after drawing a lukewarm reception from Republicans on a House panel Thursday.

The Treasury Department auctioned $29 billion of seven-year notes, with a 1 3/4% coupon and a 1.834% high yield, a price of 99.450849.