Employee benefits

American Advanced Management signed a letter of intent for a lease-to-buy agreement for Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister.

The Senate proclamation says Shields left behind "an indelible mark on the public finance industry."

"We believe pensions have an elevated probability of stressing the state and local governments' budgets even as Illinois has made supplemental contributions above the statutorily required amounts," S&P Global Ratings analyst Joseph Vodziak said.

Houston is one of the largest U.S. cities to set up a trust to help fund non-pension retiree benefits such as healthcare.

Attorney General Rob Bonta faces criticism for restrictions that caused the collapse of a proposed buyout of a troubled Central Valley hospital.

A total of 26 Republican-led states have sued over the new retirement investing rule, saying it would diminish their tax revenue and hurt states that have a significant fossil fuel industry presence.

The demographics of the public-sector workforce are likely to change, even as many state and local governments consider increasing wages and improving other benefits to attract and retain employees.

Strong 2021 contribution levels continue a trend that began with pension reforms made in the wake of the Great Recession.

The hospitals are facing higher costs amid dwindling pandemic-related federal aid, although urban facilities are faring better than those in rural areas.

The downgrade of Kaweah Delta Health Care District's revenue bonds to Ba1 affected $218 million of debt.