Jim Watts

Moody’s Investors Service affirmed its Aa2 ratings and stable outlook on Oklahoma’s $222.5 million of general obligation debt.

Sen. Harry Coates, R-Seminole, said lawmakers need to do their duty and authorize bonds to repair the Oklahoma State Capitol without waiting for a popular vote in November.

Kansas state revenues were $30.6 million less than expected in January due to more taxpayers filing electronically, which results in quicker refunds.

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe wants to use $30.5 million of the state’s $72.1 million surplus to help several agencies make it through fiscal 2012, which ends June 30.

The Arkansas Trucking Association plans to seek voter approval next year for an increase in the state tax on diesel fuel to finance highway construction projects.

DALLAS — Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin will propose an across-the-board cut in the state personal income tax rate at Friday's opening legislative session.

DALLAS — A Texas teachers group is asking Gov. Rick Perry to call a special legislative session that would restore state aid to school districts by taking $2.5 billion from the state's rainy-day fund.

DALLAS — Dallas is looking at a fiscal 2013 budget gap between anticipated revenues and expected expenses of $49 million at best, but at worst it could grow to $87 million, city manager May Suhm told the City Council Wednesday.

Adding toll lanes to the proposals for upgrading portions of U.S. 90 to Interstate standards in the Lafayette area could provide up to half of the financing, according to a new traffic study.

DALLAS — Conservative leaders of national and state anti-tax groups sent Oklahoma lawmakers a message Monday staking out a strict interpretation of a no-new-tax pledge signed by almost every member of the Legislature.

The effort by the Kansas City suburb of Mission to tax residents for roadwork is illegal and cannot be collected, Attorney General Derek Schmidt said last week in a non-binding opinion.

Trustees of National Park Community College last week postponed an April property tax election until its bond counsel can determine if the revenue can be used for capital improvements.

Roads and streets in every city and all 75 counties of Arkansas would be improved and upgraded with revenue from a proposed 0.5% increase in the state sales tax, highway director Scott Bennett told lawmakers last week.

Chandler, Ariz.’s sales tax revenues recorded a 14.8% increase in the first four months of fiscal 2012, the most it has recorded since the same period of fiscal 2007.

DALLAS — Oklahoma officials seeking an upgrade in the state's credit touted its strong economy and sound fiscal policies in talks last week with rating agencies.

A Louisiana panel studying the tolls on twin state-toll bridges across the Mississippi River in New Orleans has cautioned against removing the fees.

DALLAS — The largest two-year state-supported technical college in Arkansas without local tax support will ask Pulaski County voters to create a taxing district.

DALLAS — Louisiana lawmakers learned Friday that the state could face a gap between spending and revenue next year totaling $895 million.

The trustees of the South San Antonio Independent School District voted last week to allow advertisements on its fleet of 30 school buses.

The San Antonio City Council will meet Feb. 16 to approve a final and detailed list of 140 bond-financed projects and set an election for May 12 on $596 million of general obligation bonds.