Economy

Healthcare bond issuance is expected to continue its increase next year, with an estimated $34 billion, according to a BofA Merrill Lynch report.

The Illinois State Toll Authority board has approved a $1.5 billion budget for the coming year along with $1 billion in toll-backed bonds in the agency's first borrowing to support its 15-year $12 billion capital program.

With expansion of an international toll bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas, expected to begin in April, Moody's Investors Service affirmed its Baa1 rating on the system's senior lien revenue bonds.

Aviation in North Carolina contributes about $26 billion to the state's economy, or 6% of the state's gross domestic product, according to a study.

Miami-Dade County commissioners approved a four-year, flexible draw-down bond program up to $675 million, in a private placement with RBC Municipal Products LLC.

Wells Fargo Securities expects not-for-profit hospitals to experience challenging conditions in 2013.

The transportation sector will spend next year looking for opportunities to achieve limited legislative goals, while hoping to stay out of the way of lawmakers who may have to slash funds in ongoing efforts to deal with the debt crisis.

Kansas City, Mo., plans to launch construction of a streetcar system next year using a bond financing plan designed to protect the city's general budget from project shortfalls.

Highmark, Inc. and state lawmakers are pushing the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to step up its review of the West Penn Allegheny Health System affiliation, but the agency wants more details.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder last week signed a series of high-profile economic development legislation that creates a Detroit area regional transit authority and a lighting authority for Detroit and other cities.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's announcement that the city will explore leasing Midway International Airport to private operators came with a full court press to portray any eventual deal as a good one for taxpayers.

Joe Lhota's departure as New York MTA chairman creates uncertainty at one of the largest issuers in the municipal marketplace as it confronts problems that include high turnover in its top job.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced final agreement has been reached on a $1.4 billion public-private partnership to finance, design, and build a new 55-mile section of U.S. Route 460 in the southeastern part of the commonwealth.

Chicago is exploring a second try at privatizing its Midway International Airport, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration announced Friday.

The RTA of Illinois board put off a scheduled vote Wednesday on its 2013 budget due to an impasse over the level of fiscal information provided by one of its service boards on up to $1 billion of planned borrowing.

Federal and transit agency officials made their case for federal aid to rebuild in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, telling a Senate panel they will need it to help pay debt service on new muni debt.

Los Angeles World Airports and Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority have overcome their differences and are working on a plan to connect light rail to the airport.

An agreement signed Wednesday by City and County of Honolulu officials and the Federal Transit Administration will provide $1.5 billion in New Starts funding for the region's elevated rail project.

Gov. Bob McDonnell informed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that Virginia will not be pursuing a state-based health benefits exchange for 2014.

Holders of bankrupt American Airlines' New York City airport debt are weighing a settlement offer that would pave the way for the carrier to assume its lease at John F. Kennedy International Airport.