Economy

The judge in Stockton's bankruptcy case has denied an injunction that would have kept the city from cutting retiree medical benefits during the Chapter 9 process.

Moody's Investors Service calls a bill designed to rein in health care costs a credit negative for Massachusetts hospitals because it will limit revenue growth and reduce operating flexibility.

Outgoing Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels last week asked the state's three gubernatorial candidates for their input on steps to implementing the new federal health care law.

Indiana last week released its final request for proposals for the East End Crossing of the massive $2.6 billion Ohio River Bridges Project.

The transportation infrastructure funding crisis facing governments at all levels is providing a "silver lining" in finance innovation as state governments are turning increasingly to such new tactics as variable-rate fuel taxes and mileage-based user fees, according to a report released this week by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The nine Georgia regions encompassing 113 counties could face additional funding pressure due to rejection of transportation sales tax, according to Moody's.

Vermont's $10 million bond sale will help it receive an additional $51 million in federal funding for bridge and road projects throughout the state, said State Treasurer Beth Pearce.

Chicago plans to enter the market Wednesday with the first piece of $1.2 billion of O'Hare International Airport refunding debt in a deal expected to generate double-digit savings while also streamlining the airport's lien structure. The city will sell $769 million of GARBs Wednesday and follow up later in the month with $443 million of PFCs.

Joining a lower Manhattan real-estate scramble, New York's issued a request for proposals to oversee retail space in its planned Fulton transit center.

Louisiana must move quickly to avoid damage to its Medicaid program resulting from a sooner-than-expected end to federal assistance, state Treasurer John Kennedy said last week in outlining a 14-step plan.

Voters in nine of 12 districts in Georgia Tuesday rejected raising the sales tax by 1% to pay for billions in transportation improvements. In the 11-county Atlanta region, among the most congested in the state, 62.6% of voters said no.

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority responded angrily to Thomas DiNapoli's audit that accused the transit agency of giving Apple an inside advantage for a lease for prime retail space at Grand Central Terminal.

The Milwaukee County Board has approved an increase in the $3 passenger facility charge at Mitchell International Airport to $4.50.

Fitch Ratings has downgraded Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare's rating one level to BBB-plus and warned of impending further negative action by placing it on rating watch negative, due to the Illinois hospital's financial performance.

The New York State Thruway Authority received three proposals from teams that are vying for the opportunity to design and build a replacement for the existing Tappan Zee Bridge.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley Monday added another $78.3 million in road and bridge projects to $138.5 million already approved as part of the state's largest-ever transportation funding program. The projects are part of a $650 million program to be financed with grant anticipation revenue vehicle bonds.

After being postponed a week, the NYU Hospitals Center's $250 million taxable bond sale will come to the market sometime this week — possibly as early as Tuesday.

An opinion poll conducted in mid-July found 49.5% of likely Arkansas voters oppose a plan to raise the sales tax to finance construction of a network of four-lane state highways.

Valley Metro will build an 11-mile extension of its light rail network from downtown Phoenix after last week's approval of the project by the Maricopa Association of Governments.

Franchise strength, offset by leverage, is the most important component of Fitch airport ratings, according to a new Fitch Ratings report. The study concludes an 8 month review of Fitch's airport portfolio.