Budgets

S&P Global Ratings lowered the Connecticut city to BBB-plus from A-minus, and Fitch Ratings dropped the city to BBB from A-minus.

The school district scaled down its original proposal for a capital bond referendum and operating referendum.

A Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling allows the city to move ahead with borrowing plans that were placed on hold during its legal fight.

The debt of New York’s MTA prompted board member David Jones to question whether the authority should have a debt cap.

Rural governments continue to lose economic ground, according to a Moody's Investors Service report.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board named Gary Hall as its next chair and Edward Sisk to become vice chair. It also temporarily cut fees to reduce excess reserves by $2.6 million.

Henry County Superior Court Judge Arch McGarity ruled that bills signed by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal in May did not violate the state constitution.

The tax proposal will appear on the county's November ballot.

Luke Bronin, in an interview at the Brookings Municipal Finance Conference, said Connecticut's capital city is "in a stronger position than we’ve been in a long time."

Mayor Paul George wants to bring the city into the Act 47 workout program for struggling municipalities.