Economy

U.S. attorneys last week filed a motion to dismiss the federal lawsuit filed in March by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum challenging the massive health care reform bill.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is looking to reserves to provide self-liquidity for its commercial paper program, officials said Tuesday.

Moody’s Investors Service revised to positive from stable its outlook on $87 million of A3-rated debt from Green Bay-based Bellin Memorial Hospital due to improved operating performance.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining a partnership on a new expressway linking the two states.

Barclays Capital announced the addition of two senior members to its public finance health care unit Monday as it continues to grow the one-time Lehman Brothers team.

WASHINGTON — State plans for high-speed rail lines are in danger due to a lack of stable funding and underdeveloped federal leadership and guidance, according to a new report by the Government Accountability ­Office.

Fiscally challenged New York has come through with some subsidies for the cash-strapped Metropolitan Transportation Authority, officials said Monday.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation yesterday approved a $10.3 billion, five-year capital plan along with a $698 million operating budget for fiscal 2011.

Swap Financial Group LLC is making a second bid to become the derivatives adviser for New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, after trimming fees one authority official labeled “usurious.”

The Massachusetts Port Authority last week approved its expected acquisition of the Worcester Regional Airport from the city of Worcester.

WASHINGTON — The executives of United and Continental airlines yesterday assured members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee that airline service would not be cut if their companies merge.

DALLAS — The winning bidder for Denver’s 23-mile rail line from downtown to Denver International Airport says it can bring the project to completion 11 months earlier than expected and $300 million under budget.

DALLAS — The Louisiana State Bond Commission on Thursday selected an underwriting team for the planned sale of $500 million of fuel tax revenue bonds to finance a constitutionally mandated road and bridge construction program.

Here comes the private sector.

The nascent nationwide push for high-speed rail still needs a specific funding plan and a mix of federal, local and private sources are now being explored, U.S. Department of Transportation officials said yesterday.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed Tuesday appointed Robert Kennedy as acting general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, effective June 30.

With an eye toward reducing risk and increasing returns, the Florida State Board of Administration last week voted to revise investment strategies at the country’s fourth-largest public pension fund and to invest in infrastructure projects, including airports and roads.

Democratic governors and senators yesterday pushed for the Senate to add an amendment to a tax-extenders bill that would provide federal funds to states to help them through their budget crises, with members expected to begin voting on the bill today.

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Georgia Department of Transportation Monday announced the appointment of Sandra Burgess as the new director of its public-private partnership program.

CHICAGO — Ohio’s bankrupt Forum Health this week announced an agreement to sell its assets to a for-profit health care provider, marking the third proposed sale of a financially struggling nonprofit provider to a for-profit entity in the last few months.