Economy

Fitch Ratings announced Wednesday that uncertainties in federal transportation funding led to downgrades of GARVEES. The agency also warned against further weakening possible along the current trajectory.

The State Iowa Board of Regents will take competitive bids Wednesday on $190 million of bonds that will more than double its healthcare system's debt load as it raises financing for a new children's hospital.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport continues its record refunding year next week with a $269 million issue that coincides with a terminal remodeling program and the bankruptcy of its major tenant.

A new report from Loop Capital Markets concludes that airports that rely heavily on cargo shipping have been less resilient during the recession and subsequent recovery than more passenger-oriented facilities.

Moody's Investors Service has upgraded Allina Health System's rating by one notch to Aa3 in recognition of its favorable fiscal performance.

Moody's Investors Service raised its rating by one notch to A1 on CentraCare Health System's debt due to the Minnesota-based system's strong financial performance.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport's board of directors approved a settlement ending its four-year royalty dispute with Chesapeake Energy Corp. over the price paid on natural gas extracted from airport property.

Airports Council International-North America released a manifesto Monday, calling for the U.S. government to eliminate the alternative minimum tax on private activity bonds and provide airports with reliable funding mechanisms.

Standard & Poor's dropped its rating two notches to B-plus from BB on revenue bonds issued for the Oconee Regional Medical Center in Georgia.

Arkansas will begin work soon on highway projects financed with proceeds from Tuesday's competitive sale of $225 million of Garvee bonds. It is the first tranche from a $575 million Garvee program authorized by voters in 2011.

Rep. Bill Shuster looks like the most likely candidate to follow in his father's footsteps as the next Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, but several dark horse candidates are also in the mix, transportation lobbyists say.

Three groups have filed complaints stating that federal approval for the $2.6 billion Ohio River Bridges Project should be thrown out because laws were violated.

After plunging during the financial crisis, the issuance of municipal bonds subject to the alternative minimum tax is slowly rebounding, with airports leading the way.

The Regional Transportation Authority of Illinois has hired former Chicago revenue director Bea Reyna-Hickey as its CFO, filling the position left vacant by Grace Galluci's departure to run the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency.

A public-private partnership to develop a $400 million light rail line in San Juan, P.R. might utilize parking revenue, fares, and other sources to finance the project, according to city officials.

St. Louis-based Ascension Health Alliance is advancing plans to acquire Oklahoma-based Marian Health System, the parent of three regional not-for-profit healthcare organizations in the mid and central states.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport plans to start laying the groundwork toward building a fifth runway at a cost of $160 million.

The Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority has named interim director Max Crumit to be the Florida agency's permanent leader.

Firms from four countries as well as the U.S. expressed interest in participating in a public-private partnership to construct a street car system in the District of Columbia.

The merger of HealthPartners Inc. with Park Nicollet Health Services won't have an immediate impact on the ratings of either system, Standard & Poor's said in a report.