News and Information from Bond Buyer

ALABAMA

Minnesota tentatively plans to price $468 million issue of general fund appropriation-backed bonds next week for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium.

Bond Buyer indexes slid for the third week in a row.

Government

Florida's latest debt affordability report shows that new bond capacity is available largely because of growth in revenues

Municipal bond yields slid Thursday as new issue sales weren't enough to slow weeks-long firming in bond prices. Treasuries rallied as the U.S. economic picture remained dubious following jobless claims and home sales reports.

The American Bar Association's taxation section warned the IRS and Treasury Department that their proposed issue price rules will upend long established market practices and increase uncertainty for issuers and other market participants.

Inflows to municipal bond mutual funds continued for a second straight week, at just $86 million, for the week ended Jan. 22.

Ohioans will consider a measure this May that would allow the state to issue up to $1.8 billion of bonds for local government improvement projects.

The board of Pennsylvania's pension fund system recommended hiring Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel to examine allegations against former CIO Anthony Clark.

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority kicks off its New Year with a long planned $400 million refunding that will be followed in late winter with new-money borrowing to support an ongoing $12 billion program.

A day after Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder unveiled a plan to pledge $350 million to Detroit's pensions, bondholders said it remains unclear how the influx of cash will play out legally.

The current U.S. transportation secretary and his predecessor on Thursday each separately warned about the dangers of letting the Highway Trust Fund become insolvent on or before the end of fiscal 2014.

Gov. Jerry Brown's recent declaration of a statewide drought is a credit negative for local water agencies in California, according to Moody's Investors Service.

Pennsylvania's intercept program that enforces the payment of school district bonds is a positive for investors, Janney Capital Markets said in a report.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear recommends what he calls "harsh cuts" along with $2 billion of bonds in his proposed $68 billion budget for 2014-2016.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it lowered its long-term rating to BB-plus from BBB-minus on Crossroads Charter Academy, Mich.'s series 2012 public school academy revenue bonds and series 2007 revenue bonds.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it lowered its long-term rating on Plattsburgh, N.Y.'s general obligation bonds two notches, to A-minus from A-plus.

Wisconsin will take bids on $237 million of general obligation bonds Tuesday against a backdrop of improving state revenues Gov. Scott Walker wants to return most to taxpayers.

The federal government approved spending $2.5 million for a plebiscite on Puerto Rico's political status.