So far this year, government bond issues in New Jersey have increased in number but decreased in value when compared with the first half of 2014. Bond counsel rankings, meanwhile, have experienced some shake-up.

According to data provided by Thomson Reuters, there were 180 bonds issued with a total value of $3.35 billion in the first half of this year, compared with 147 issues worth a combined $5.01 billion in the first half of last year.

That's a 22.4 percent increase in issues, but a 33.1 percent decrease in total value.