Higher education bonds

Columbia University recently issued $50 million in green bonds through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) that will fund construction of a new science center for the Ivy League school’s Manhattanville campus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday.

Illinois’ cash-starved higher education institutions will soon get some relief after state lawmakers passed a $600 million funding bill to get them through the summer despite the lack of a state budget.

With Illinois’ public higher education schools facing downgrades and accreditation risks, Gov. Bruce Rauner and the legislature’s Democratic majority remain at loggerheads over how to free up their funding amid the ongoing budget impasse.

Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear, a Democrat, filed suit Monday contending that budget cuts at nine public colleges and universities ordered by Republican Gov. Matt Bevin were illegal.

Illinois community colleges face downward rating pressure from delays in state aid payments and likely future state aid cuts.

The University of Texas System will seek savings with a $134 million refunding of revenue bonds.

U.S. lawmakers are stepping up scrutiny of colleges and universities with endowments of more than $1 billion and are threatening to introduce legislation that could jeopardize the tax-exempt status of their bonds.

Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear said Friday he will file suit if Gov. Matt Bevin fails to rescind immediate budget cuts the governor imposed at state colleges and universities.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper’s signature on recently passed legislation will clear a path for the University of Colorado’s $168 million issue of new money and refunding bonds.

Citing strong enrollment growth and improving financial trends, Standard & Poor’s upgraded Texas Tech University System to AA-plus.