Higher education bonds

The University of Texas System will seek authorization for $1.1 billion of state tuition bonds for 16 projects at 15 campuses from the Texas Legislature.

The tax-exempt status of $8.5 million of bonds issued by the Delaware River Port Authority in 2003 for the LEAP Academy University Charter School, Inc., could be in jeopardy because the Internal Revenue Service revoked the charter school's tax-exempt status.

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee's proposed $8.2 billion budget includes a corporate tax cut and a $20 million local package to help distressed communities.

On Wednesday the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York approved a $155 million bond for Pace University.

Faced with decreased state funding, Kentucky's eight public universities are asking the state for permission to issue their own bonds for pent-up capital needs.

Ohio State University comes to market Wednesday with $350 million of subordinate-lien bonds that will be used to build new housing to finance a plan that requires all freshmen and sophomores to live on campus by 2016.

Gov. Dave Heineman last week announced an agreement between the University of Nebraska and Nebraska State College System that would allow for a two-year tuition freeze and increase state funding for the schools

DePaul University in Chicago won an upgrade from Moody's Investors Service Monday in recognition of its consistent positive operating performance and established student market.

Texas colleges and universities are seeking $3.6 billion of bond authority under a bill introduced by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini. Requests for tuition revenue bonds in the previous session failed amid deep budget cuts.

The IRS is auditing $49.67 million of general obligation bonds issued by the Oregon State Board of Higher Education in 2006.

The University System of Georgia has completed consolidating eight of the state's 35 public colleges and universities to address, in part, the decline in state funding.

Arizona State University plans to issue $112 million of revenue bonds in a deal that comes a week before the Arizona Legislature convenes to consider education spending measures.

Market participants mostly support a revised proposal by the MSRB that would require primary distributors or underwriters of 529 savings plans to submit information to the MSRB, but urged the board to keep information confidential and to consider additional changes.

The Houston Community College District will issue $300 million of general obligation bonds two months after voters approved $425 million of debt to expand the system.

Dauphin County, Pa., expects to make a $1.5 million bond debt payment for Harrisburg University for the second straight year.

On the heels of its downgrade of Puerto Rico's general obligation debt, Moody's Investors Service has cut the ratings for the U.S. territory's electric power authority and university system.

Moody's Investors Service lowered Roosevelt University's rating one notch to Baa3 as the Chicago-based school struggles with enrollment challenges.

The University of Kansas will ask the 2013 Legislature for $30 million of 10-year bonds to help build a $75 million facility in Kansas City.

A plan proposed by the National Institutes of Health could pressure United States universities, according to a report from Fitch Ratings.

Moody's Investors Service said that Georgia Perimeter College faces more negative credit pressure because its accreditation has been placed on warning by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or SACS.