Public finance

Two deals from state issuers came to market on Wednesday as municipal bond buyers were treated to much needed volume.

Bond lawyers will recognize the late Jim Lebenthal and Lewis Horne with awards next month, as well as Virginia "Gigi" Benjamin.

Such a move might allay fears in the capital markets while removing lawmakers from decision-making, according to consultant Jim Millstein.

A Massachusetts negotiated deal and Washington state competitive sales led primary issuance on Wednesday.

Since Puerto Rico formally filed the deal in court on Aug. 10, 13 parties have filed either court challenges or notices of intent to challenge the deal.

The bond proceeds will fund transportation, school, university and other capital projects,

Rock Creek Community Academy is turning to the bond market for the first time.

Retail buyers hungry for supply took on some of the $727 million of general obligation bonds that Massachusetts offered on Tuesday.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy cut an education bond measure to $500 million from $1 billion.

The Florida Development Finance Corp. will be asked to be the conduit issuer for $1.75 billion of PABs on behalf of the project's private owners.

The MSRB is making a push to understand muni market indicators.

Michigan no longer has any local governments under emergency management and the state program may be quietly laid to rest.

Municipals were firm as Massachusetts offered almost $727 million of general obligation bonds to retail buyers.

City Budget Director Melanie Hartzog discusses the $89.16 billion fiscal 2019 budget, spending priorities, reserves and the dynamic between Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office and the City Council. Chip Barnett and Paul Burton host.

The municipal bond market will see under $4 billion of new paper to close out the month and market participants remain hopeful volume will spike in September and stay strong into the fall.

Wilshire Consulting said the aggregate funded ratio for U.S. state pension plans remained unchanged between and first and second quarters of 2018 at 70.8%, up 0.7 percentage points from the previous 12 months.

A huge surplus and strong state economy could drive demand for the upcoming $989 million offering.

More than a decade after voters created the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas with $3 billion of bond funding, the state is nearing that goal with a $322 million deal this week.

Portfolio managers say taxable alternatives have appeared cheaper lately when compared to the short end of the tax-exempt yield curve.

The municipal bond market will see under $4 billion of new paper to close out the month and market participants remain hopeful volume will spike in September and stay strong into the fall.