Public-private partnership

The most recent open solicitation period, last October, yielded three proposals.

Gary Hall, President of the Infrastructure & Public Finance Division at Siebert Williams Shank & Co., joins Bond Buyer Executive Editor Lynne Funk to talk about the importance of the muni industry in financing the country's extensive infrastructure needs -- from ports and airports to bridges and energy solutions.

Utah's Seven County Infrastructure Coalition has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review an appeals court ruling that led to the loss of federal permits for a proposed bond-financed railway that would transport crude oil.

The state's transportation commission took action to end a comprehensive development agreement for a partially bond-financed toll lane project on State Highway 288.

Fitch Ratings analysts, who downgraded the bonds to junk in January, said they continue to monitor progress on the airport's automated guided rail system.

The bill allows local governments to bypass public bidding and notice requirements in current P3 law.

The National Football League's Chicago Bears are pursuing plans to build a publicly owned domed stadium in Chicago, boosted by $2 billion of private funds. 

The state has tapped JP Morgan and Wells Fargo as managers of the deal.

"This bill is aimed at providing more economic opportunity for our cash-strapped airports," said bill sponsor Rep. Chip Brown before the House passed it 98-2.

Robert Poole, a leading expert in the U.S. public-private partnership transportation sector, joins infrastructure reporter Caitlin Devitt to talk about upcoming deals including toll lanes and bridges in the Southeast and high speed rail in the West as well as states that are advancing P3s and action on the federal front. (37 minutes)