News and Information from Bond Buyer

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer and Hewlett-Packard settled for $10.6 million in dispute over a city emergency communications contract.

The municipal bond market got off to a quiet start to the week on Monday after surviving two of the busiest weeks of the year where an estimated $25 billion of new supply was priced. Municipal bond prices traded slightly weaker on the day, according to Municipal Market Data.

Among the 10 states that account for nearly 78% of oil production in the U.S., Texas and California appear better insulated from falling prices because of their diverse economies, according to Fitch Ratings.

Operating gains prompted Moody's Investors Service to revise Iowa's UnityPoint health system's outlook to stable from negative.

Moody's Investors Service has revised Ohio-based Kenyon College's outlook to stable from negative on its A1 rating as the school's stronger performance in fiscal 2014 is expected to continue.

An expectation that Nevada will use reserves to bridge a budget shortfall means a step backward for the state at a time when other states are building reserves, according to a Moody's Investors Service credit outlook.

Strong financial management combined with a growing tax base, diverse economy, and growing reserves have placed Los Angeles in a position to strengthen its credit profile, Moody's Investors Service analysts said.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has fined two firms a total of $7,500 for violations of Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board rules, FINRA said in its monthly disciplinary report Monday.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its underlying rating on Amityville, N.Y.'s general obligation bonds to BBB from BBB-minus.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it lowered its long-term and underlying ratings to A from A-plus on debt issued by and on behalf of Catholic Health Initiatives, Colo.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its underlying rating for credit program on Portland Public Schools, Mich.'s general obligation debt one notch to A from A-minus, reflecting positive recent and projected budgetary performance.

New York MTA board members called on the state to waive fees on new money bonds, which could cost the MTA $22.5 million in calendar 2015.

Alaska, Louisiana, New Mexico and North Dakota and other major resource states will see declines in oil-related revenues with the steep reduction in oil prices, Fitch Ratings says.

Illinois Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner has the legal authority to appoint a replacement to serve out the upcoming term of the late Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, but Illinois lawmakers should hand the decision over to voters in 2016, Attorney General Lisa Madigan said.

Standard & Poor's downgraded Colorado-based nonprofit healthcare giant Catholic Health Initiatives to A from A-plus and retained a negative outlook in a Dec. 15 report.

The municipal bond market was starting last full trading week of 2014 quietly the after polishing off two of the busiest weeks of the year where an estimated $25 billion of new supply was priced.

Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems and its partners hope to blaze a trail toward a carbon-free future through small modular nuclear reactors designed to overcome the problems of large nuclear plants.

Detroit has just under two weeks to submit and disclose the final tab of its 17-month bankruptcy after attorneys and advisors agreed in mediation to reduce their fees.

Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems and its partners hope to blaze a trail toward a carbon-free future through small modular nuclear reactors designed to overcome the problems of large nuclear plants.

Tender rates for the Treasury Department's latest 91-day and 182-day discount bills were higher, as the three-months incurred a 0.035% high rate, up from 0.025% the prior week, and the six-months incurred a 0.110% high rate, up from 0.090% the week before.