Economy

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Florida Department of Transportation last week released the names of eight firms interested in the state's first-ever lease of an existing toll road.

CHICAGO -Standard & Poor's Friday downgraded to B-plus the already below-investment-grade Ohio-based Forum Health in a two-notch cut that analysts said reflects the system's ongoing fiscal difficulties as well as a few new challenges.

ATLANTA - Fulton County, Ga., yesterday sold $120 million of tax anticipation notes - twice as much as in 2006 - to cover expenses at a time when cash levels are lower, due in part to the advance payment of an annual subsidy to the financially ailing Grady Health System in Atlanta.

DALLAS - The Texas Transportation Commission, one of the state's largest debt issuers, should be eliminated and replaced with a single commissioner who would report to a legislative oversight committee, according to recommendations from the state Sunset Advisory Commission.

DALLAS - Dallas Area Rapid Transit's upcoming $740 million sales tax revenue bond sale is getting decidedly mixed reviews, with one upgrade, one downgrade, and one agency maintaining the status quo.