Public finance

California lawmakers have asked the state Supreme Court to block a ballot measure that would radically alter the state's tax structure.

The Amtrak-Texas Central proposal to build high-speed rail between Dallas and Houston would take land "from American citizens and put it under the control of a Japanese company," a pair of Texas Republican representatives told the FRA.

Ed Koch, the late mayor of New York, used to ask residents "How am I doin' ?" The Citizens Budget Commission plans to do that this fall with a survey.

Dustin Avey and Jeremy Garber were named co-heads of public finance; Fairman, a 40-year veteran of the firm, will remain in an advisory capacity into 2024.

The last time muni mutual funds saw outflows top $1 billion was the week ending May 31 when they were $1.345 billion.

CEO Andrew Smith says authority is taking steps toward settling its outstanding debt.

Bonds tied to Destiny USA in Syracuse were cut deeper into junk by Moody's Investors Service on doubts about its ability to extend an outstanding loan.

"The major question is whether a shutdown is going to result in a ratings impact in the municipal market, and the answer here is no," said Jennifer Johnston, director of research for Franklin Templeton's fixed income-municipal bond team.

The city plans to refund the privately placed special tax revenue obligations with long-term bonds in 2024.

California priced $625 million in State Public Works Board lease revenue bonds this week.

"The market has taken to heart the [Federal Open Market Committee] actions from last week," said Jeff Lipton, managing director of credit research at Oppenheimer Inc.

The House Financial Services Committee grilled SEC chief Gary Gensler Wednesday.

Final state approval of the debt was conditioned on the resolution of a petition to the Oklahoma Supreme Court to revisit its Aug. 1 validation of the debt.

The downgrade reflects the school district's weakened financial position, Moody's Investors Service said, adding that while the district's operating deficits have moderated significantly, they will persist over the next fiscal year.

The upgrade reflects progress and ongoing development at Hudson Yards that has led to increased payments in lieu of taxes, said S&P credit analyst Felix Winnekens.

Fitch Ratings affirmed the city's AA-plus GO rating while bumping the outlook on certificates of participation sold for its city courthouse.

Yields have "risen substantially over the last week as the market seeks to find at least a minor level of balance or equilibrium," said Tom Kozlik, managing director and head of public policy and municipal strategy at HilltopSecurities.

The state's Water Infrastructure Finance Authority is "strongly considering" the use of bonds as it seeks ideas on augmenting water supplies.

The firm, without admitting or denying the findings, agreed to pay a $60,000 civil penalty.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the $202 million grant signals the Biden administration's commitment to "clean, electrified high-speed rail into the heart of some of the largest and fastest growing cities in California."