News and Information from Bond Buyer

For the week ended Jan. 29, the weekly average yield to maturity of the Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index, which is based on 40 long-term bond prices, dropped one basis point to 4.12% from 4.13%.

The Georgia General Assembly plans to debate a bill that would provide more than $1 billion in new transportation funding in this year's session.

A taxpayers' group in San Diego County won a legal battle in its challenge to the way the school district spends its voter approved bonds.

The municipal bond market was winding down the week on Thursday as it saw a big, last-minute deal come to market from a Florida issuer.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its rating to AAA from AA-plus on Rockville Centre, N.Y.'s general obligation debt.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised to AA from AA-minus its rating on Grundy County Public Building Commission, Ill.'s prior debt and on Grundy County's outstanding general obligation bonds.

Two senators have proposed a corporate tax repatriation plan to pump billions of dollars of new revenue into the Highway Trust Fund.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it lowered its rating on Pennsylvania Higher Educational Facilities Authority's revenue debt, issued for Thomas Jefferson University (TJU), one notch to A from A-plus.

Standard & Poor's put a local Indiana school district on negative watch after it missed two payments due in January on bond issues.

Legislation raising Iowa's gasoline tax by as much as 10 cents to bolster state transportation spending is being prepared with several key lawmakers saying the bill stands a good chance due to mounting bipartisan support for action.

After seven months of growth, the Texas Economic Activity Index has dipped, reflecting the impact of falling oil prices, according to Comerica Bank.

Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, who took office Jan. 21, named five deputy treasurers.

The governors of Kentucky and Ohio plan to lower the $2.6 billion construction cost of the Brent Spence Bridge project in order to move the long-planned, bi-state venture forward.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott recommended a $77 billion budget and new tax cuts for the upcoming fiscal year.

More than two-thirds of Detroit homeowners will see property assessment reductions of 10% to 20% under a major reassessment program launched by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.

Board approval of fare and toll increases for New York City subways, buses, bridges and tunnels is a credit positive for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said Moody's Investors Service.

Colorado lawmakers may get their day before the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge the Taxpayer Bill of Rights that requires voter approval of all tax increases in the state.

The Treasury Department auctioned $29 billion of seven-year notes, with a 1 1/2% coupon and a 1.590% high yield, a price of 99.406401.

Los Angeles International Airport will point to increasing passenger counts and progress on its expansion plan when it sells about $500 million of bonds.

All individuals engaging in municipal advisory activities should be required to take a new qualifications test, and regulators should consider developing more specialized and supplemental exams at a later time, the National Association of Municipal Advisors told the Securities and Exchange Commission this week.