News and Information from Bond Buyer

ALABAMA

ALABAMA

Moody's Investors Service has placed on review for downgrade the general obligation (G.O.) rating of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. At the same time, ratings that are capped by or linked to the commonwealth's G.O. rating were also placed on review, including the Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation's (COFINA's) senior and junior lien bonds.

The Illinois Finance Authority board gave a green light to two healthcare financings and renewed executive director Chris Meister's appointment for another year.

Municipal bonds on Wednesday showed signs of running out of the steam that pushed yields lower earlier in the week.

Government

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said this week he would sell the state plan and ask state agencies and universities for cuts to offset an unexpected $141 million budget shortfall.

The Puerto Rico government turned to the Government Development Bank of Puerto Rico to pay off a $400 million Barclays note due this month, according to the Caribbean Business web site.

Municipal bond market participants said the two-year budget agreement announced Tuesday by House and Senate Budget Committee leaders would extend by two years the cuts to the federal subsidy payments issuers receive for Build America Bonds and other direct-pay bond programs.

Virginia has 19 private-sector proposals in its quest for innovative solutions to develop and finance capacity additions to a congested interstate highway.

The not-for-profit health care sector has reached a negative tipping point, warned Standard & Poor's, which also said new health care law could start to impact states' larger credit profiles.

WASHINGTON — The federal government ran a $135.2 billion deficit in November, the Treasury reported Wednesday.

A federal appeals court freed three convicted bid-riggers from prison just before Thanksgiving because the statute of limitations had run out on their alleged violations, according to the court’s newly released opinion.

New York's City Council approved a proposal to build a hockey and figure-skating center at the site of the former Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx.

Women in Public Finance named former Pennsylvania Treasurer and Artemis Capital Group co-founder Robin Wiessmann the recipient of its lifetime achievement award as part of its 8th annual Founders’ Awards.

The Treasury Department auctioned $21 billion of 10-year notes with a 2 3/4% coupon at a 2.824% high yield, a price of 99.361224.

The municipal market slowed Wednesday morning after building up momentum earlier in the week on sliding treasuries.

The Memphis, Tenn. plan to refinance $50 million of defaulted bonds for financially troubled AutoZone Park and the Memphis Redbirds baseball team hit a rough patch.

Uncertainty related to Detroit's bankruptcy filing resonates among P3 players, according to Allen & Overy's Kent Rowey, who advises on many such deals.

San Francisco Mayor has proposed putting a $400 million bond for earthquake safety improvements on the city’s June 2014 ballot.