News and Information from Bond Buyer

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority moved a step closer Friday to opening an important natural gas port that would lower its operating costs.

The municipal bond market will be more robust for the week of Feb. 23, with roughly $5.652 billion more issuance than in the past holiday-shortened week.

In the aftermath of Moody's deep downgrade of several key Puerto Rico bonds, the United States Treasury said it supported Puerto Rico's progress.

California will experience favorable fiscal conditions through 2017 benefitting both the state and its local governments, according to Moody's Investors Service.

Prices of top-rated municipal bonds closed unchanged, traders said, ahead of the upcoming week's chunky new issue slate. Muni yields ended the week only slightly higher, as the dramatic rise in yields, which began at the start of the month, has started to slow down.

Louisiana state agencies can expect "significant cuts" in the 2016 budget but Gov. Bobby Jindal is expected to recommend "structural fixes" to the spending plan.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it lowered its underlying rating on Dublin School District, Ga.'s general obligation debt outstanding to BB-plus from BBB.

Standard & Poor's placed Samaritan Healthcare's BBB-plus long-term rating and underlying rating on credit watch with negative implications after the Washington state healthcare provider failed to provide timely information.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has raised its underlying rating to BBB from BBB-minus on Red Hook Village, N.Y.'s general obligation bonds.

Securities and Exchange Commission officials are seeking changes to practices in the municipal market and more stringent actions to enforce rules protecting investors.

Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers unveil the fourth plan in recent years for a National Football League stadium in Los Angeles County.

Ohio Auditor David Yost has declared the city of Maple Heights to be in a state of financial emergency after the Cleveland suburb missed payments on sewer loans in January and showed deficits in its general and debt service funds.

New York's MTA will hold committee and board meetings Feb. 23 and 25, respectively, at a new location, 2 Broadway in lower Manhattan.

Gov. Charlie Baker is forming a panel to investigate the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in the aftermath of its storm-related struggles.

A tax increase to help fix Greater Boston's crippled mass transit system is not in the works, said Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

State lawmakers in Arkansas and Washington state give initial approval to measures that would increase local transportation funding.

A bill before the West Virginia Legislature would provide bond financing to build a state-owned fiber optic network to bring fast Internet service to rural areas of the state.

"Gridlock Sam" Schwartz says now is the time for congestion pricing and tolling overhaul for the New York City region.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its underlying rating to A-plus from A on Meridian Public Schools, Mich.'s existing general obligation debt.