Bonds

Two Missouri-based hospital operators, BJC HealthCare and Saint Luke’s Health System, are the latest to join the trend of large-system mergers. The two signed a letter of intent to form an integrated not-for-profit Missouri-based health system Wednesday. The systems will work to reach a definitive agreement “in the coming months” with a closing anticipated by the

Oklahoma, which has been prevented from issuing bonds due to a delayed annual audit, could turn to a new state-financed revolving loan fund for capital projects under a bill passed by lawmakers last week. House Bill 1002X, which heads to the governor, would be a way to self-fund capital improvements as the state has been

The California Senate approved a measure that would repeal a law prohibiting the use of taxpayer dollars for travel to states that discriminate against LGBTQ+ people in favor of spending on programs to foster acceptance. Senate Bill 447, authored by Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, passed out of the Senate on a

Oklahoma lawmakers overrode the veto of a bill aimed at reforming the governance structure of the state’s turnpike authority, which is awaiting a ruling on the validity of bonds to begin funding a $5 billion extension project. Ahead of Friday’s end of the legislative session, the override of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s May 19 veto passed

The Illinois Supreme Court will have the final say on the constitutionality of the state’s 2019 consolidation of suburban and downstate police firefighter pension fund assets. A group of police funds challenged the legislation, which has so far cleared two legal hurdles. Kane County Circuit Court Judge Robert Villa upheld the law in May 2022 and

Illinois lawmakers expect to cast a final vote early Saturday on a nearly $50.7 billion budget that preserves scheduled deposits into the rainy day fund, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed $200 million pension supplemental pension payment and pay off of the state’s tobacco bonds. Some of those plans appeared in possible jeopardy in recent weeks over

Tennessee is betting nuclear energy will make a comeback. The state, which hosted labs that helped split the atom during World War II, has joined the race to develop and deploy the first commercial-grade variant of a scalable nuclear reactor that promises to provide an important piece of the nation’s green energy network. After appropriating

The secondary market has yet to react to California’s negative outlook from Moody’s Investors Service, as credit spreads have generally tracked the recent market selloff. While Municipal Market Analytics acknowledged that California faces some economic headwinds, the firm was surprised at how quickly Moody’s revised the outlook after the governor’s May budget revisions were announced.

California lawmakers are betting voters have had a change of heart regarding the need for a statewide school bond measure. The state Senate approved on Wednesday a $15.5 billion school construction bond measure that would go before voters in March that is similar to the $15 billion Proposition 13, a failed school bond measure that

Minnesota lawmakers ended their 2023 session after passing a two-year budget with new funding for schools and social services, a $2.6 billion capital package, and a tax package that raises some taxes and fees on top earners and corporations while providing rebates for others and paying off debt for the NFL Vikings’ stadium. The budget

Cities and states may start to pause borrowing plans as the nation heads toward a breach of its debt limit as soon as next week. “If the debt ceiling is not raised, it’s going to be a brave new world,” said David Womack, deputy director at New York City’s Office of Management and Budget. “It

Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health’s third quarter financial results highlight the persistent strain inflation poses on not-for-profit hospital balance sheets, with cascading effects on borrowing plans and operational strategies. The sector’s struggles have led to calls in Illinois to increase the Medicaid hospital reimbursement rate and at the federal level advocacy groups say more support is needed.

A financing plan for a multi-billion-dollar Austin light-rail project, already under attack in the Texas Legislature, now faces concerns about its legality raised by the state attorney general.  The controversy involves the Austin Transit Partnership, a corporation created by the city and Capital Metro Transportation Authority, and its ability to help finance the Project Connect

Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia on Thursday announced the recipients of $225 million of federal health and public facilities development grants funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The state selected142 projects from a crowded field of proposals submitted by local governments and nonprofit organizations as per federal regulation that would help “improve

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said it’s a “close call” for him if the central bank should raise interest rates next month or pause while it monitors the outlook for inflation. “I think right now it’s a close call, either way, versus raising another time in June or skipping. What’s important to

Michigan trimmed its revenue estimates Friday to account for tax changes that carry a multi-billion-dollar price tag. The new projections could require roughly $600 million in reduced spending over what Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed earlier this year in the fiscal 2024 budget that would take effect Oct. 1. It relies on available revenue from what

The Kroll Bond Rating Agency upgraded Connecticut’s long-term general obligation rating to AA-plus from AA on Thursday. The upgraded rating continues Kroll’s stable outlook and reflected Connecticut’s “strong credit profile and significant and continuing progress in improving its financial position over the last six fiscal years,” the agency said. KBRA pointed in particular to the extension

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Lorie Logan said the case for pausing interest rate increases at the central bank’s June meeting isn’t yet clear, while her colleague Gov, Philip Jefferson sounded ready to be patient. “After raising the target range for the federal funds rate at each of the last 10 FOMC meetings, we

California’s rating outlook was revised to negative from stable Thursday by Moody’s Investors Service amid the state’s revenue uncertainty. The rating agency also affirmed the Aa2 rating on the state’s general obligation bonds, citing the state’s massive economic base and healthy budget reserves and liquidity. The Aa2 rating on the state’s general obligation bonds is

A committee formed by the California treasurer’s office has developed investor-driven guidelines for disclosure on green bond issuance. The thrust of the guidelines, created by the California Green Bond Market Development Committee, was to help issuers provide more uniform disclosure. It dovetails with the International Capital Market Association’s guidelines, but provides information more specific to