Economy

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed a full-funding agreement Monday for the first phase of the central Florida commuter train called SunRail.

BRADENTON, Fla. - A $1.1 billion transportation project aimed at alleviating congestion around Atlanta has qualified to apply for a low-interest federal loan as part of the financing plan.

CHICAGO - The Illinois Finance Authority board Tuesday signed off on Advocate Health Care Network's sale of up to $533 million of new-money and refunding bonds, and the newly merged Central DuPage Health-Delnor Health System's $190 million direct-purchase issue.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is proposing to reduce the cost of the $3.8 billion metrorail extension to Dulles International Airport by having Loudoun and Fairfax counties in Virginia pay for parking garages and a station with federal assistance.

Moody's Investors Service last week affirmed Fairfield Medical Center's Baa2 rating and revised its outlook to stable from negative, citing its sustained operating improvements. The action affects $34.2 million of rated debt.

Moody's Investors Service has revised its outlook on Saint Luke's Health System's A1 rating to stable from negative due to its improved operating performance. The action affects $532 million of debt issued through the Missouri Health and Educational Facilities Authority.

Construction of a western bypass expressway around O'Hare International Airport would create at least 78,000 jobs and strengthen the regional economy, but financing the $3 billion project likely would have to come from tolls, according to an advisory council report announced by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn last week.

Moody's Investors Service changed its outlook on Decatur Memorial Hospital's A2 rating to negative from stable due to a downturn in its operating performance. The action applies to nearly $40 million of debt.

DALLAS - After pricing $347 million of general obligation bonds for expansion of state facilities Monday, Texas is preparing another $300 million of taxable debt for its Cancer Prevention Research Institute next week.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has asked a bankruptcy judge to review the proposed $38 million sale of Quincy Medical Center Inc. to Steward Health Care System LLC.

A bonding authority that oversees Connecticut's six state-owned airports, including the flagship Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, is up and running.

BRADENTON, Fla. - Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on Tuesday announced the completion of a deal allowing Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing to expand its plant and add up to 470 new jobs in exchange for $910 million of bonding capacity to help finance the project.

DALLAS - The board overseeing the construction of a proposed $1.2 billion state hospital in New Orleans decided Wednesday to take another look at the proposed financing.

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's $1.2 billion of Proposition C sales tax revenue bonds one notch to Aa3 because of weaker coverage.

BRADENTON, Fla. - Atlanta is preparing to price $372 million of senior general revenue refunding bonds next week as the first of two deals this year for the world's busiest airline hub, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

House Republicans are trying to divert $1 billion dollars of high-speed rail funding still left in the federal government's coffers from President Obama's stimulus program toward flood-control aid in the Midwest.

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on Monday filed a motion in federal court to intervene in a lawsuit that the agency believes could delay the long-planned Ohio River Bridges Project.

DALLAS - Amid major expansions, Texas' top two toll road authorities are preparing variable-rate refundings expected to total about $200 million.

Moody's Investors Service has upgraded Loyola University Chicago's rating one level to A2 following the completion of the school's sale of its health system to Trinity Health on June 30.

A bill recently introduced in the House would create new tax-credit bonds to help state and local governments finance charging stations for plug-in electric cars.