News and Information from Bond Buyer

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s 2011 legislation curbing the collective-bargaining rights of most public employees is constitutional, his attorney general told the state supreme court in a test of whether it infringes rights to free association and free speech, Bloomberg news reports. Seven justices in Madison are hearing arguments today on the state’s bid to reverse a trial court judge’s decision last year that parts of the measure known as Act 10 unduly burden union members’ rights.

Moody's Investors Service said it has downgraded to Baa3 from Baa2 the rating assigned to Good Shepherd Medical Center, Texas's (GSMC) $93.7 million of outstanding bonds issued by the Gregg County Health Facilities Development Corporation.

Moody's Investors Service has assigned a Aa3 rating to the city of Port St. Lucie, Fla.'s $55.2 million general obligation bonds, Series 2013, and downgraded $84.3 million of outstanding general obligation bonds to Aa3 from Aa2 (includes portions of pre-refunding Series 2005 general obligation bonds), and $179.9 million of certificates of participation and non-ad valorem backed conduit, lease (pre-refunding Wyndcrest Project bonds) and special assessment debt to A1 from Aa3.

Wednesday, November 13 Issuer St Description Amount

Wednesday, November 13 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of November 12 Issuer St Description Amount

Week Of November 12 Issuer St Description Amount

ARKANSAS

ILLINOIS

Nov. 13, 2013 Midwest: Plain/Insured GO Yield Curve* State Ratings One-Year Five-Year 10-Year 30-Year Illinois A3/A+/A+ 0.88 2.45 4.31 5.63 Indiana Aaa/AAA/AA+ 0.21 1.29 2.76 4.33 Iowa Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.18 1.22 2.7 4.27 Michigan Aa2/AA/AA 0.28 1.42 2.99 4.56 Minnesota Aa1/AA+/AA+ 0.18 1.2 2.65 4.2 Missouri Aaa/AAA/AAA 0.18 1.16 2.59 4.16 Nebraska NR/AAA/AA+ 0.2 1.28 2.79 4.35 North Dakota Aa1/AA+/NR 0.2 1.25 2.73 4.32 Ohio Aa1/AA+/AA+ 0.2 1.25 2.82 4.4 South Dakota NR/AA+/NR 0.21 1.32 2.84 4.42 Wisconsin Aa2/AA/AA 0.21 1.27 2.84 4.42

11/12/2013 11/5/2013 State # Iss Amount ($000) # Iss Amount ($000) Chg in Amt ($000s) Illinois 13 $263,147 10 $278,042 -$14,895 Indiana 12 234,960 14 77,290 157,670 Iowa 7 148,905 10 277,245 -128,340 Michigan 7 110,725 6 125,040 -14,315 Minnesota 28 338,095 19 158,670 179,425 Missouri 7 368,235 6 142,365 225,870 Nebraska 1 23,000 1 23,000 0 North Dakota 1 3,995 0 0 3,995 Ohio 6 118,085 4 67,845 50,240 South Dakota 2 81,645 2 60,540 21,105 Wisconsin 13 88,055 13 98,715 -10,660

The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association is recognizing Christopher Hamel, managing director and head of the municipal finance group at RBC Capital Markets, for his contributions to the municipal securities industry.

Government

Texas A&M University System will price $210 million of top-rated bonds backed by the state's Permanent University Funds in a competitive sale Wednesday.

MBIA Inc. said its adjusted pre-tax loss widened to $188 million in the third quarter, from $118 million a year earlier and a $160 million loss in the second quarter.

The tax-exempt market traded weaker for a second session on Tuesday as total volume fell and market participants prepared for new deals to price in a holiday-shortened week.

The new mayor of Cincinnati, bond attorney John Cranley, is halting two controversial bond-funded projects, including one for which the city has already sold general obligation bonds.

A state-run board Tuesday approved Gov. Rick Snyder's push to lease Belle Isle, Detroit's biggest park, for up to 30 years, killing an alternative 10-year lease proposed by the Detroit City Council.

American Airlines and US Airways Group Inc. settled an antitrust lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Justice, clearing American's path to exit bankruptcy and repay its municipal bondholders.