Economy

The City Council in financially strapped Harrisburg is considering a series of bills to increase parking revenue.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners advanced a capacity planning study that will deal with the five airports under its jurisdiction.

Standard & Poor’s raised its underlying rating on various bonds issued by the New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority for Saint Barnabas Corp. to BBB from BBB-minus.

Fitch Ratings warned it may have to lower ratings on Garvee bonds if Congress only approves more short-term extensions of a surface transportation bill through 2012 instead of a multi-year bill.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Bay Area Toll Authority voted Wednesday to try to buy an office building in San Francisco using bridge toll dollars despite a pending audit.

CHICAGO - Ohio State University's plan to privatize its parking system advanced this week when the school posted a request for qualifications for firms interested in the asset.

The capital program is the "front and center challenge" for New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, outgoing chairman Jay Walder said Wednesday.

Health care investment banking shop Cain Brothers has hired a senior banker to help lead its distressed credit team.

DALLAS - Dallas Area Rapid Transit plans a 16% increase in debt service as it continues to expand its light-rail system under the fiscal 2012 budget that begins Saturday.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation is suffering from an extreme cash-flow problem, but Gov. Nikki Haley has said she opposes raising the state gasoline tax as a solution.

A new rail alternative for downtown Raleigh has emerged from public comments related to the Southeast High-Speed Rail corridor, according to North Carolina transportation officials.

CHICAGO — Michigan-based Trinity Health Corp. will bring the year's largest health care deal to market next week when it sells $648 million of debt, some of which will finance its recent acquisition of Loyola University Health System.

Moody's Investor Service has revised its outlook to positive from stable on Aspirus Wausau Hospital's A2 rating in recognition of strong operating profitability for a third consecutive year.

DALLAS - The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority will reduce its exposure to the vagaries of variable-rate debt and cut its debt service costs with next week's negotiated sale of $521.7 million of revenue refunding bonds.

DALLAS - The Arizona Transportation Board is scheduled to sell $164.5 million of excise tax revenue bonds in a competitive deal Tuesday.

House Transportation Committee chairman Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., has been given the go-ahead by leadership to include $15 billion more for transportation programs in his multi-year bill, if he can find the revenue, sources said.

Six finalists are in the running for a contract to privatize Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnership Authority and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority have announced.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board of directors approved plans last Thursday to issue $250 million of bonds.

CHICAGO — After investors agreed to take a haircut in a restructuring last year, an upscale retirement facility in downtown Chicago is again asking bondholders for more breathing room.

The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York has approved $1.5 billion in financing for education and health care.