Public finance

The next presidential administration needs to play a larger role in collaborating with local governments for infrastructure programs, a panel of state and local officials said this week.

Maryland will seek a federal grant for subsea rail tunnel in Baltimore after striking out in the first round.

A large drop in foreclosures through the first half of this year means lower loan losses for state housing finance agencies’ bond programs, according to a report by Moody’s Investors Service.

Manhattan Institute senior fellow Nicole Gelinas discusses the many challenges facing New York regional transportation with The Bond Buyer's Paul Burton and Andrew Coen. Topics include capital funding, Port Authority and MTA megaprojects and alternative funding to counter the L subway line shutdown.

ILLINOIS

COLORADO

Fixed income software provider Kalotay Analytics has licensed its patent-pending tax-neutral municipal bond valuation and risk analysis methodology to BlackRock.

A $3.3 billion project to expand a subsea tunnel system at Hampton Roads, Va., will be financed with a combination of bonds, toll revenue, and gas tax revenue under a plan approved a regional planning agency.

INDIANA

ALABAMA

Any delays in Illinois' monthly contributions pose a negative credit risk to the state, Moody's Investors Service said Friday.

After 54 straight weeks of inflows, municipal bond funds reported outflows, according to Lipper data released on Thursday.

Bonds that funded the stalled minor-league baseball stadium in Hartford, Conn., could appeal to investors with appetite for risk, said Richard Larkin of Stoever Glass.

CALIFORNIA

ALABAMA

After 54 straight weeks of inflows, municipal bond funds reported outflows, according to Lipper data released on Thursday.

In the week ended Oct. 20, the weekly average yield to maturity of the Bond Buyer Municipal Bond Index rose two basis points to 3.94% from 3.92% in the previous week. The BB40 Index is based on the price of 40 long-term bonds.

Virginia road planners will evaluate local requests for $9 billion of state funding.

Michael J. Belsky, co-founder of The Vector Group, avoids timing the market and focuses on limiting volatility in the municipal bond portfolios he manages.

ARKANSAS