Economy

The Small Business Optimism Index rose 3.7 points to 107.5 in November, the National Federation of Independent Business reported on Tuesday.

The deal includes $524 million to refund outstanding debt.

An Ascension and Providence St. Joseph merger would surpass for-profit HCA Healthcare.

The structure the airport used combines the advantages of a bond issue with those of a private bank loan, an official said.

Alternative strategies include general obligation borrowing to offset limited bonding capacity in the special transportation fund.

Georgia's Public Service Commission begins new hearings on the nuclear reactor project Monday.

Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health will combine operations under a new name and new Chicago headquarters.

Lawmakers Monday authorized issuing the voter-approved debt, including the first sale of $800 million soon.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., was the only member of the Senate Banking Committee to oppose the nomination of Federal Reserve Board Gov. Jerome Powell to lead the central bank.

The combined Illinois-based Advocate Health Care nor Wisconsin-based Aurora Health Care would be the 10th-largest healthcare nonprofit.

The New York economy is expanding with “across the board increases,” and employment at its best level in more than two years, the Institute for Supply Management-New York’s Report on Business index, released Monday, indicated.

Long perceived as clunky and stagnant, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is recrafting itself under control board oversight.

The overall economy grew for the 102nd straight time, the Institute for Supply Management reported Wednesday. Suppliers reported strength in sales.

The group plans to sell roughly $1 billion of bonds, with a mix of btax-exempt and taxable debt.

The Regional Plan Association recommends congestion pricing, infrastructure banks, public benefit corporations, a regional rail system and an end to 24-hour New York subway service.

The seasonally adjusted Milwaukee Report on Business decreased to 59.62 in November from 63.61 in October.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said there would be no taxpayer funding.

The bonds for Florida’s Brightline train project are rated BB-minus by Fitch.

A year from now, city officials may very well be asking voters to approve a bond package, perhaps to keep fixing the potholes on your street.

Nearly all Federal Reserve districts reported modest or moderate economic growth in the past six weeks as business outlook improved and hurricane-related rebuilding pushed prices higher, the latest Beige Book survey showed Wednesday.