News and Information from Bond Buyer

Public finance banker R. Ray Kljajic, a staple of Chicago's municipal bond community, is leaving Citi after a 25-year career there to pursue consulting and other opportunities in the infrastructure realm and in tax policy.

New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority's increased the size of its revenue bond deal to $498 million from $475 million in pricing for institutions on Thursday. Meanwhile, prices of top-rated municipal bonds ended unchanged, according to traders.

JPMorgan said it appointed Kent Lawrence, formerly of Citi, as managing director to head the Southeast Group.

New York City reached contract agreements with communications, civil service bar and theatrical stage unions, said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Jessica Giroux has been promoted to general counsel of the Bond Dealers of America, assuming the number two position in the middle-market dealer group.

Ballard Spahr served as bond counsel in the issuance of $34.6 million in tax-exempt bonds that will enable a Wilmington, Del., charter school to expand into a K-12 format

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded the commonwealth of Puerto Rico's general obligation bonds and guaranteed debt to Caa1 from B2, its Sales Tax Financing Corporation (COFINA) senior and subordinate bonds, respectively, to B3 and Caa1 from Ba3 and B1, and the notes of the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico, to Caa1 from B3.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it lowered its underlying rating on debt issued on behalf of Clarksville Community School Corp., Ind., to A-plus from AA-minus.

Moody's Investors Service said it has downgraded to Aa3 from Aa2 Cleveland County Independent School District No. 29 (Norman), Okla.'s general obligation bonds.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its issuer credit rating (ICR) on Rock Community Fire Protection District, Mo., to A from A-minus and its long-term rating on the district's series 2013 general obligation bonds to A from A-minus.

An agreement on staffing a new customs facility in Detroit removes the final roadblock to a $3.3 billion P3 bridge project.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it lowered its underlying rating to A from A-plus on Rock Island County School District No.37 (East Moline), Ill.'s existing general obligation debt.

Moody's Investors Service has warned that Louisiana's growing budget problems will pressure finances at the state's public universities.

After five years as head of California's private activity bond allocation committee, Sean Spear is leaving to work as the managing director for a multifamily financing and municipal advisory firm.

A House panel will hold a hearing Feb. 26 on legislation that would allow Puerto Rico government-owned corporations to restructure their debts under Chapter 9 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code.

The Treasury Department Thursday sold $9 billion of inflation-indexed 30-year bonds at an 0.842% yield, an adjusted price of 97.329701, with a 3/4% coupon.

The political crisis in Oregon that ended its long-serving governor's political career was a non-event for the municipal bond market, showing no impact on a GO bond sale the day new governor Kate Brown took office.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its underlying rating to A from A-minus on Phoenix Civic Improvement Corp., Ariz.'s series 2004 rental car facility charge taxable revenue bonds, issued for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority's $498 million of revenue bonds was priced for institutions on Thursday after a one-day order period for retail investors Wednesday.

Moody's Investors Service said it has downgraded to Baa2 from Baa1 the rating on the town of Somers, Wis.'s general obligation debt.