Jim Watts

Ascension Parish, La. officials are considering a 25-year, $135 million road improvement program to be funded in part with $80 million of bonds supported by a proposed 0.5% increase in the parish's sales tax.

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, called on lawmakers to end the practice of moving dedicated revenue into the general fund to balance the state's two-year budget. The current budget includes $4.9 billion of the transfers, which are not spent but enable Comptroller Susan Combs to certify that the fiscal 2012-2013 budget balanced revenues with expenditures.

The Corpus Christi, Texas, City Council will decide Tuesday on a proposal for a $170 million utility revenue bond issue expected to provide $60 million of new money and to refund $110 million of outstanding junior lien debt.

Up to $140 million of transportation projects may be part of Austin's general obligation bond referendum in November, along with an expected $250 million of capital improvement projects.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin last week reiterated her support for a state bond issue to repair the deteriorating Capitol building in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma General Fund revenues in June were below June 2011 totals due to a 42% drop in energy severance tax collections, State Treasurer Ken Miller said.

A constitutional amendment authorizing up to $1.3 billion of state highway construction bonds will be Issue 1 on the Arkansas Nov. 6 ballot.

Work will begin Wednesday on Mesa, Ariz.'s bond-financed baseball spring training facility for the Chicago Cubs.

Scottsdale, Ariz. City Council voted last week to bring back a citizens bond review panel to study proposals that could be included in a 2013 bond referendum.

Tennessee State School Bond Authority will take $427.7 million of higher education facilities revenue bonds to market Wednesday and Thursday to catch a favorable market.

Better-than-expected collection levels pushed Arkansas general fund revenues to a record $4.75 billion in the recently completed fiscal 2012, with $510 million in June marking the highest monthly collection ever.

Two refundings over the next two months will reduce New Orleans' annual debt service and remove an unsecured credit from the city's balance sheet.

Federal Bankruptcy Judge Thomas Bennett said Friday June 29 that Jefferson County cannot keep sewer revenues in excess of operating expenses that are specified in bond documents. The county wanted to withhold the funds to pay estimated legal estimates and establish a reserve fund. Jefferson County currently pays $5.5 million a month in debt service on the $3.2 billion of outstanding sewer bonds. The county filed for bankruptcy in November 2011.

The El Paso, Texas City Council amended its debt-management policy, eliminating the $100 million limit on certificates of obligation to allow the city to issue any amount of debt.

Voters in Bentonville School District No. 6, Ark., rejected a $135.7 million general obligation bond package that would have built the district's second high school.

The Little Rock, Ark. Board of Directors gave tentative approval last week to a September election asking voters to extend a property tax that would support general obligation bonds.

The University of Arkansas System last week asked for proposals for a design team and construction manager for three athletic facilities that will be financed in part with bond proceeds.

Glendale, Ariz. City Council last week approved an increase in the city's secondary property tax.

Abstract Arizona's economy in April hit its highest level since December 2008, with activity outpacing the nation, according to a report last week from Comerica Bank.

Construction of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum in Oklahoma City was halted July 1 when money for the project ran out.