Economy

An Austin transportation coalition proposes a $1.4 billion urban rail line that could appear on the November ballot after years of study.

Former U.S. Representative James Oberstar died at age 79 Saturday, silencing one of Washington's most outspoken advocates of increased transportation and infrastructure investment.

The gas tax would need to be raised to 31 cents from the current 18.3 cents per gallon in 2015 and increased thereafter in order for the Highway Trust Fund to keep up with projected transportation funding needs, without new revenue sources, Fitch Ratings said in a report released Monday.

Madison-based University of Wisconsin Health and Illinois-based SwedishAmerican Health System announced plans to merge.

Cost overruns at the overdue South Terminal at Denver International Airport pose "significant budget risk," according to Denver Auditor Dennis Gallagher.

State transportation departments face a $47 billion cut in federal funding in fiscal 2015 if Congress fails to shore up the Highway Trust Fund.

A federal decision is a credit positive for New York's nonprofit hospitals, said Moody's Investors Service.

S&P cut the ratings on the bonds of Tuomey Healthcare System in South Carolina two notches, to CC from CCC, citing the hospital's plan to file for bankruptcy if it fails to prevail in a federal lawsuit.

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority plans to sell $450 million of new money revenue bonds on Wednesday for projects in its ongoing $12 billion, 15-year capital program.

Florida lawmakers unanimously passed Senate Bill 230 to create a new regional toll road agency, and abolish the embattled Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, which has $2.6 billion of debt.

Junk-rated Citrus Memorial Hospital in Florida continues to see financials decline and its ratings drop further into junk territory while its bonds continue to trade near par.

Approval of a $1.9 billion federal transportation loan for the $5.7 billion Silver Line rail extension to Washington's Dulles Airport is the largest ever awarded.

Patrick A. Nowakowski, the executive director of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, will be the next president of Long Island Rail Road, the MTA announced.

The Missouri Senate has approved a measure sending to voters a sale tax hike to fund transportation projects.

Tolling and transit advocates praise the $302 billion transportation legislation now in Congress, but others doubt lawmakers will act before the November elections.

Fitch Ratings upgraded the rating on Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, Wash., based on its improved financial performance.

Florida lawmakers are in a last-minute push to replace the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority on the heels of a scandal that dogs the agency.

South Carolina's Tuomey Healthcare System told bondholders Wednesday that it will file for bankruptcy if it cannot resolve a dispute with the federal government, which won a $237 million judgment against the hospital.

Houston plans to demolish Terminal D at Bush Intercontinental Airport and build a replacement at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie nominated John J. Degnan to be the new chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Tuesday.