Public finance

Reaching beyond numbers, Health + Hospitals President Mitchell Katz is striving to overhaul a long-problematic $8 billion city unit.

The top muni bond counsel firms accounted for $74.79 billion in 1,783 transactions in the first quarter of 2019, up from $61.46 billion in 1,655 deals a year earlier. Although overall business was up, most of the top firms didn't quite achieve higher totals than they had during the same time last year.

PFM, Acacia and Piper move up in FA rankings, as deal volume handled by the top firms rose 18.6% from last year's depressed level to $64.32 billion.

Municipal bond insurers are running close to last year's clip through the first three months of 2019, as the two active insurers wrapped $3.61 billion in 288 transactions. That compares with $3.61 billion 257 deals during the same period last year. The insurance penetration rate dipped to 4.8% from 5.9% at the end of the first quarter of last year.

The top muni underwriters counsel rankings were all shaken up, as business spiked to $48.69 billion from $41.94 billion at this point last year.

In 2018, employment in New York City hit 4.55 million, the highest jobs level ever recorded, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said.

A few taxable deals came into a weaker market today, highlighting the significance of what issuers can tap into by issuing taxable munis.

They say that the Oversight Board has shown itself to be slow and obstructionist in attacking illegitimate bonds and prosecuting guilty parties.

Plans in Illinois, Kentucky, Connecticut and New Jersey still show low funded ratios, while the best funded plans experience better-than-average returns.

The New York and New Jersey bi-state agency in announced that electronic tolls will roll out on two more bridges this year.

January revenue beat the original budget projection by 36%, raising hopes that there will be more money to pay bondholders as the island's debt is restructured.

The airport authority in Ohio is using capital facility charges to back bonds for the facility.

The day after tax day did not diminish demand for munis as customer inquiry, especially on the short end, was strong.

Voter approval rates this year for Wisconsin school district fiscal referendums fell short of last year’s record levels.

Moody's labeled the April 2 election results a credit positive.

Detroit approved its first budget after leaving state oversight and city officials say they will get its ratings back to investment grade.

The Port Authority needs inland distribution facilities located on rail lines to handle its growing volume.

Kathy Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, analyzes the impact of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's 2020-2024 capital investment strategy. Paul Burton hosts.

Ambac and FGIC filed motions in support of the Puerto Rico Oversight Board's effort to declare illegal $6 billion of the commonwealth's bonds.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown takes aim at school pension liabilities.