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Reports on the issuance of commercial papers in Florida. Request for the expansion of the paper-backed pool of the Sunshine State Governmental Financing Commission; Creation of a commercial paper program by the Hillsborough County.

Reports on Florida issuers' increased interest in commercial paper programs, according to industry professionals and government officials.

Reports on the launch of Miami-Dade County, Florida's $400 commercial paper program. Hiring of Merrill Lynch and Co. Inc. to replace Goldman Sachs and Co. as co-manager of the program along with Lehman Brothers; Advantages of commercial paper.

Reports on the approval of three dealers for commercial paper issues and $285 million in revenue bonds in Dade County, Florida. Bond dealers; Includes Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs; Selection of Morgan Stanley to do a current refunding of $90 million of Series U Dade County Aviation bonds.

Reports on the Sunshine State Governmental Finance Commission's plan to expand its commercial paper program with an additional $600 million of authorization that will be loaned to qualified government borrowers in Florida. Permission of the commercial paper program to operate without liquidity providers; Annual credit assessment of program members; Borrowing requirements.

Reports that Miami Dade Expressway Authority will begin evaluating bids for the commercial paper program to be used in the sale of long-term bonds. Purpose for the agency's hiring of new underwriters; Worth of the total commercial papers; Estimated amount of taxable revenue bonds to be refunded.

Announces that the opponents of the Sunshine State Governmental Financing Commission's bid to expand its commercial paper loan program in Florida will have a chance to present their arguments at a dismissal hearing. Members of the Florida commission; Validation issue.

The article informs that the tax-exempt paper from Florida was in short supply last month, but investors should find some appeal in five deals worth $348 million coming to market in the next two weeks. In addition to fresh supply in the market, one banker said the variety of deals--all insured-should be attractive to investors. The lineup begins with Collier County's competitive sale of $175 million of capital improvement and revenue refunding bonds today. The county also sells $35 million of limited general obligation bonds on January 18, 2005.

Examines the performance of municipal funds in Florida. High prices of funds inspite of plentiful supply; Types of funds supported by investors; Top performing funds; Portfolio managers' comments on some funds; Investment allocation strategies; Return rates for funds; Total income by the funds.

Reports on the suicide of former commissioner chairman Arthur Teele Jr. in Miami, Florida. Indictment of Teele by a grand jury on fraud and money laundering charges that led him led him to shot himself; Removal of Teele from the office after his arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and for threatening a police officer; Other unlawful compensation faced in state court relating to the Miami Community Redevelopment Agency.

Focuses on Jacksonville Electric Authority's (JEA) competitive bid for five-year cap that effectively sets a rate ceiling on a portion of its outstanding commercial paper. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter's winning bid; Average rates on JEA's commercial paper.

Presents news items about municipal bonds in Florida. Implications of the decision of Tampa General Hospital's board of trustees to approve the lease the publicly owned facility to a private nonprofit corporation; Revamp at Miami's Finance Department; Dade County's commercial paper program.

The article presents information on the views of brokers and portfolio managers who deal in Florida debt regarding the effect of the repeal of intangible tax on the pricing of the state's bonds in Florida. They anticipate a minimal change in demand or of the state's bonds when the repeal of its standing intangibles tax comes into force. But certain experts suggest that certain aspects of the elimination of the tax may become crucial after some time. The phasing out of the tax was voted in April, 2006 by the Florida Senate. The industry sources speculate that the tax's repeal has been built into bond prices, which will have an effect on the tax also.

Reports that investment advisers have indicated that searching the secondary market for current-coupon municipal bonds is the key to success in investment in Florida. Perception that return is not worth the risk of higher-yielding paper; J&W Seligman & Co.'s Florida Municipal Fund; Adviser Richard Marrone's preference for housing and health care issues in the portfolio.

The article informs that Ellen P. Aprill, professor at Loyola law School in Los Angeles, California, has stated in a seven-page paper published in the periodical Tax Analysts that issuance of the municipal bond tax law and rulings by the Village Center Community Development district in Florida does not comply with the rules of the U.S. Internal Revenue Services. Aprill mentioned that the district in Florida is not a political subdivision and is not authorized to issue tax-exempt bonds.

The article reports on the request for Miami-Dade County commissioner to implement a $400 million commercial paper program and authorize up to $800 million of revenue bonds for its water and sewer system in Florida. Temporary financing will be provided by the commercial paper program for certain improvements. According to the staff recommendation, the utilization of commercial paper notes during construction is less costly than financing projects initially with long terms bonds.

Reports that Moody's Investors Service has affirmed the P-1 rating on the Kissimmee Utility Authority's commercial paper revenue notes in conjunction with a liquidity agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank in Florida. Increase in the commercial paper program's commitment size; Extension of the credit facility to May 31, 2005.

Reports that Lee County, Florida, is evaluating its options on how to finance a jail project after county officials decided to ask for voter approval on a local option, sales tax. Plans to finance the project with a combination of commercial paper and cash; County's options if the proposed sales tax is approved or not.

Reports the high-yields deals of two health care financing prices in Miami, Florida. Increase of willingness to participate in the health care sector; Amount of deal offer by the Miami Beach Health Facilities Authority; Participation of institutional buyers in the term bond.

Reports on the plan by Florida's Sunshine State Governmental Financing Commission to expand its lending capacity. Remaining debt capacity; Provisions for borrowers under the existing program; List of members and borrowers.

The article informs that Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. has joined J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. as a remarketing agent of a callable commercial product in Orlando, Florida.

The article focuses on the conversion of auction-rate securities (ARS) and variable-rate debt by Miami-Dade County Commissioners in Florida. The board of the county has approved taking action to convert $74.6 million of ARS, some of which were remarketed at a rate of 11%. Furthermore, the county has about $560 million of variable-rate debt exposure through its commercial paper program.

The article reports that Floridians, with no tax incentive to buy in-state bonds, can peruse offerings from all other states and territories when looking for tax-exempt debt. It reveals that the situation is taking a toll on state and local issuers. According to Municipal Market Advisors President Tom Doe, there is no real incentive to buy Florida paper if a person lives in Florida.

The article reports that Miami-Dade County commissioners have set the stage for the eventual sale of $4.1 billion of bonds and commercial paper. Commissioners also approved an ordinance authorizing the sale of up to $500 million of transit system sales surtax revenue bonds that will be sold in concert with the People's Transportation Plan, or PTP. Commissioners are required to approve debt sold by the Miami- Dade's public hospital system, which is an enterprise fund of the county that is overseen by the Public Health Trust board.

Reports on the plans of Hillsborough County, Florida to competitively sell revenue bonds after the July 4 holiday weekend. Sale date; Sealed bids for the Series 2004 bonds; Use of a portion of the bond proceeds to refinance storm water commercial paper notes; Moody's Investor Service's rating to Hillsborough County's sale.

Reports on the valuation of tax-exempt and taxable revenue bonds by the Sunshine State Government Financing Commission in Florida. Utilization of the proceeds for the construction of parking garage; Improvement of the technology and museums; Reimbursement of the commercial paper program.

Reports on the institutional sale of multimillion dollars worth of electric utility system refunding revenue bonds in Florida. Possible targets of underwriters on the opening of retail order period; Reasons for the issuance of bonds; Rate points given to the deal by various ranking organizations.

Focuses on the improvement of the condition of the bond market in Florida as of January 2001. Comparison with condition of the bond market in 2000; Amount of bonds issued; Transactions made on February 12; Conduction of debt transactions by city and county governmental entities; Creation of liquidity with size.

Focuses on the impact of the intangibles tax on the municipal bond market in Florida. Features of the tax; Comment by Robyn Fiel, portfolio manager at the Haugh Group of Funds; Factors affecting the municipal bond market performance.

Reports on the plan of Miami-Dade County in Florida to push with its plan for bond deals including aviation debt for the expansion of the Miami International Airport. Deals to provide enough proceeds for the county's bond financing; Senior manager for the deal; Commercial paper program to finance the airport program.

The small south Florida city of Opa-locka, recently designated by the state to be in a financial emergency, is under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to the Miami Herald. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the impact of the ongoing credit crisis on preventing Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund from selling through tax-exempt bonds in Florida. The Cat Fund, which has an estimated reinsurance capacity of $13.28 billion, could have a potential bonding shortfall of between $10 billion and $15 billion over a 12-month period. The Fund is aimed to pay all the claims it has promised in the form of reinsurance to the state's private property and casualty insurers.

Information is given about the annual conference of the National Federation of Municipal Analysts (NFMA) held in Miami, Florida, in March 2008. The event aimed to harmonize the municipal and global rating scales of rating agencies. Many analysts are troubled by those who want immediate changes. Municipal Market Advisors managing director Matt Fabian said that the significance of credit analysts will increase and new competitors will emerge to provide issuers with ratings based on a global scale.

The article reports on the investigation conducted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to the investment practices of the Florida State Board of Administration (SBA). In a SEC letter dated February 25, 2008, it asked the SBA to turn over a range of documents related to investment guidelines and restrictions, brokers, and securities purchases. Moreover, the SEC also sought information as to how the state agency decided to make purchases of asset-backed commercial paper.

The article reports that Citizens Property Insurance Corp. in Florida has ordered its financial adviser to work on a plan to annul $4.75 billion of taxable auction-rate securities following its first failed auction. According to Sharon Binnun, chief financial officer of Citizens, the insurance company at previous auctions bought back approximately 20% of its outstanding auction-rate paper to help prevent a failed auction and to limit demands for higher interest rates by investors.

The article reports that Palm Beach County has withdrawn $60 million it had invested in the Florida State Board of Administration's (SBA) local government investment pool because of concerns about the lack of liquidity for investments tied to subprime mortgages. According to Sharon Bock, elected clerk and comptroller of Palm Beach County, investments are earning about 1% less than the SBA offered. Information about credit protection for the pool against the potential default is discussed.

The article reports that Escambia County commissioners ask the Florida Supreme Court to consider the broader implications of its decision to require referendum approval in order to issue bonds secured by tax increment financing (TIF). The county wanted to issue $315 million of TIF bonds without creating a community redevelopment agency to widen a road.

The article reports that the government of Miami-Dade County, Florida has announced the sale of about $600 million of aviation revenue bonds for Miami International Airport. The proceeds will be used to refinance $398.6 million of outstanding commercial paper, with the remaining $200 million being used for the airport's multi-year capital improvement program. The transaction is structured with $555 million of Series 2007A bonds subject to the alternative minimum tax.

Broward County, Florida officials on June 30, 2003 will entice investors interested in Florida paper with nearly $190 million of refunding bonds. Some $90 million of revenue refunding bonds, Series 2003K, for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will be insured by Financial Guaranty Insurance Co. Another $98.4 million of water and sewer utility revenue refunding bonds, Series 2003B, will be insured by Ambac Assurance Corp. Standard & Poor's Corp. raised its rating on Broward's outstanding $518 million of airport system revenue bonds to A-plus from A and raised the rating to A from A-minus on $156 million of outstanding passenger facility charge and airport system revenue convertible-lien bonds. The airport's passenger base grew at an average annual rate of 8.1% between 1995 and 2002, making it the fastest growing large hub airport in the nation during this period, which included the nationwide decline in air travel following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The market for Florida debt is holding up in the face of a possible government shutdown, while the Chicago market is being penalized with wider spreads, higher yields, and a swell in bid-wanted lists after being downgraded to junk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The market for Florida debt is holding up in the face of a possible government shutdown, while the Chicago market is being penalized with wider spreads, higher yields, and a swell in bid-wanted lists after being downgraded to junk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article informs that according to Ellen P. Aprill, a professor at the Loyola Law School, municipal bond tax law and rulings do not support the U.S. Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) stand that the Village Center Community Development District in Florida is not a political subdivision and cannot issue tax-exempt bonds because its board is privately controlled and not accountable to voters. The IRS can change the definition of political subdivision only through a rulemaking process.

The article reports on the sale of up to $600 million of aviation revenue bonds by the Miami-Dade County Budget and Finance Committee in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The proceeds of the sale will be used for new construction projects at Miami International Airport and refinancing commercial paper notes. The offering is expected to include $71.5 million of capitalized interest, and another $19.5 million will be deposited into a reserve account.

The article reports that Florida Governor-elect Charlie Crist issued a joint press release with Senate President Ken Pruitt and Speaker of the House of the U.S. Congress Marco Rubio on November 29, 2006, stating that they would call a special session of the U.S. Legislature starting January 16, 2006. The session will focus on developing a reform plan to restructure property insurance market of Florida and provide relief to Florida residents and businesses.

The article reports that the city government of Cape Coral in Florida will sell 60-million-dollar worth of special obligation revenue bonds on June 6, 2006. The proceeds of the sale will be used to buy land for parks and recreation areas and to refinance the 20-million-dollar worth of outstanding commercial paper. The bonds, insured by MBIA Insurance Corp. have maturities between 2007 and 2036.

Reports that the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority in Florida is seeking a team of underwriters to place two bonds on contract for a period of three years. Designation of the senior manager on each bond on a rotating basis by the authority's executive director; Search for proposals from firms with considerable experience in the sale of airport revenue bonds; Consideration of including a commercial paper program and refundings of its series 1996A, 1997A, and 1997B revenue bonds.

Reports on the initiation of a two-day sale of new money and refunding aviation bonds on behalf of Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida. Senior manager of the deal; Use of the proceeds to finance parts of the airport's extensive capital improvement plan and refund outstanding commercial paper; Ratings assigned by Fitch Ratings Inc. to the bonds being sold.

The article discusses the adoption of public-private partnerships and state-of-the art toll systems by the Southeast transportation officials to finance and improve roads. Georgia and Florida officials at the Bond Buyer's Seventh Southeast Public Finance Conference said that they are implementing new plans and refining existing programs to meet the needs of the traveling public. The Georgia Department of Transportation has a three-pronged attack to get more roads under construction, including the use of public-private contracts, issuance of grant anticipation revenue vehicles and implementing a commercial paper program, said GDOT Treasurer Earl Mahfuz.

The article reports that Senator Rod Smith Democrat-Gainesville, entered the 2006 race for governor in Florida yesterday, joining seven other candidates for the office. He was state attorney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit from 1992 to 2000, which is based in Alachua County, where Gainesville is the county seat. As a member of the Legislative Budget Commission for the upcoming session that starts March 8, Smith said the state needs to keep its ratio of debt service to revenues below 6 percent, which is a legislative target.

Reports on the plan of two largest counties to release a multi-million of fixed-rate paper into the market in separate offerings in Florida. Negotiation between A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. and Miami-Dade County; Sale of public service tax refunding and improvement revenue bonds; Assignment of A-plus ratings by Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's.