Bonds

JACKSON, Miss. -- The state Senate's minority leader said Wednesday he hopes Gov. Phil Bryant allows the Legislature to consider a bond bill in the upcoming special session.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott asked Ben Watkins to help convince the Legislature that tourism funding supports state and local ratings.

Hidalgo County, Texas wants to combine a border barrier with a flood-protection levee.

Guam is looking to issue short-term debt to pay tax refunds to its citizens.

Los Angeles Council moved ahead with plans to issue a judgment obligation bond to cover a budget gap.

The board of New York’s MTA approved contracts aimed at speeding the rebuilding of the L subway line’s Canarsie tunnel by three months, to 15 months.

Lowered discount rates from California’s two largest pension funds mean short-term pain for cities and the state, but a sounder fiscal picture long-term, according to S&P analysts.

Rob Amodeo, head of municipals at Western Asset, an affiliate of Legg Mason Global Asset Management, talks with The Bond Buyer's Chip Barnett about what's in store for the municipal bond market in 2017. He talks about infrastructure – and discusses both financing and funding for new projects. He explains that infrastructure is mostly a local issue, with projects dependent upon state and local economies. And he looks at what effect a Trump Administration and tax reform proposals could have on the muni market.

Erin Stewart, one of country's youngest female mayors, tells The Bond Buyer's Paul Burton how New Britain, Conn., erased a $30 million deficit, earned bond rating upgrades and undertook several economic development initiatives. She also reacts to Gov. Dannel Malloy's budget proposal.