Economy

SAN FRANCISCO — Like a patron at a Las Vegas buffet, the airport that serves the city is sampling a variety of the bond provisions enacted in this year’s federal stimulus bill.

DALLAS — Orleans Parish Hospital Service District A is considering a financing plan for a $130 million renovation project at a hurricane-damaged hospital in east New Orleans that could rely on bonds for half of the needed funds.

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Mississippi Department of Transportation yesterday announced that due to the credit crisis, it has suspended the procurement process for the state's first toll road to be built as a public-private partnership.

Fitch Ratings on Friday revised the rating outlook to stable from negative on $260 million of bonds issued for the Mount Sinai Medical Center of Florida.

Despite the lagging economy, the summer season proved to be busy at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

WASHINGTON - A group of municipal analysts is urging the Securities and Exchange Commission to require muni issuers to file with EMMA certain material event notices related to swaps, bank bonds, and liquidity facilities. But issuers and borrowers are warning that the proposed 10-day deadline for filing material event notices would be difficult or impossible to meet and are pushing for 30 days instead.

DALLAS - Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is moving toward a $1.5 billion bond-financed renovation of the four original terminals that debuted 35 years ago.

Florida has dipped into its transportation trust fund for money to keep other programs going - an action other states may be forced to take if revenues continue to decline, market participants said.

DALLAS - The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority has proposed a $212 million streetcar expansion effort that would be financed with $73.5 million of sales tax revenue bonds and $121 million in federal transit funds.

New York Gov. David Paterson's choice to run the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said at a hearing yesterday that he would work with the Legislature to find a solution to the cash-strapped agency's needs but didn't offer proposals of his own. The state Senate will consider the nomination of Jay Walder as chairman and chief operating officer at a full confirmation hearing tomorrow.

New York's Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority's is returning to the competitive market on Thursday after a hiatus since 2001. The deal, a $158 million taxable Build America Bond offering, is coming on the heals of outlook changes to negative by two rating agencies last week.

CHICAGO - With an upgrade in hand, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission heads into the market next week with $600 million of Garvees and will return next month with $300 million of road bonds that mark the final installment of borrowing under a $2 billion construction program.

The Government Accountability Office has issued a legal decision that says highways maintained by private third parties under public-private partnerships, including tolled highways, are eligible for federal highway grant funding.

The Tarrant County Hospital District, which operates as JPS Health Network, could see a $10 million revenue shortfall in fiscal 2010 due to more uninsured patients seeking medical care. The increased demand by patients without insurance may result in the system’s first deficit since 1975.

CHICAGO — Illinois announced yesterday plans to competitively sell $400 million of new-money general obligation bonds on Sept. 16, the first leg of borrowing to finance shovel-ready road and bridge projects that are part of a $31 billion capital program.

WASHINGTON - An advocacy group in Virginia is suing federal and state transportation officials over the Dulles Toll Road, arguing that drivers are being illegally charged tolls used to back bonds issued for a Dulles Metrorail project.

CHICAGO - Southeast Michigan needs to invest more than double the $68 billion it currently plans to spend over the next 26 years to adequately address all its transportation needs, according to a report released this week by a regional government planning group.

CHICAGO - Facing decisions on how to deal with escalating operating costs and delayed state aid without eroding educational services, Minnesota's school districts have just one more month to issue debt without voter approval to address one of their growing fiscal burdens - other post-employment benefits for retirees' health care.

WASHINGTON - At least two toll authorities are competing for funds from a federal grant program set up under the stimulus law after several others helped finance their projects with Build America Bonds, which also were authorized by the stimulus package.

CHICAGO - The not-for-profit health-care sector continued to suffer from a variety of fiscal ills throughout 2008, with most credit measures declining across all rating categories and affecting even the largest and most highly rated systems, Moody's Investors Service said in a report on the sector's 2008 medians released Friday.