Jim Watts

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal will be sworn in for a second four-year term Jan. 9 at an inauguration he said would be smaller than the first one.

The trustees of the West Feliciana Parish School Board will consider a plan next month to call a property tax renewal election in April 2012.

DALLAS — The Texas Supreme Court determined Monday that the state's main business tax does not violate the constitutional prohibition against enacting a personal income tax without voter consent.

The Georgetown, Texas, City Council last week turned down a proposal to reduce the size of a planned public safety facility that will be financed with $29.5 million of bonds approved by voters in May.

A voluntary retirement program for Kansas state government workers is expected to save $34.5 million over the next two years, Gov. Sam Brownback said last week.

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan., this year will redeem an extra $27 million of sales tax revenue bonds issued in 2005 to finance construction of a large shopping district.

The Pulaski Technical College Board of Trustees in Arkansas is expected to decide in January whether to ask voters for permission to collect property taxes through a proposed taxing district to supplement tuition revenue and state aid.

Arizona’s State Transportation Board has adopted a blueprint outlining the projects needed over the next 25 years to keep pace with the state’s growing population.

Final results last week from the Maricopa County Elections Department show that voters Nov. 8 narrowly approved a $41 million capital override request by Paradise Valley Unified School District.

DALLAS - A financial boost provided by a sales tax increase approved by Little Rock, Ark., voters in September will finance the city's largest budget ever in 2012.

DALLAS - Recent increases in monthly revenue collections will mean Oklahoma lawmakers won't face a shortfall when they convene in January, but little growth is expected in next year's budget.

Oklahoma Rep. T.W. Shannon, R-Lawton, said last week the state should sell some of its buildings and land to finance repairs to the state capitol in Oklahoma City.

Three bond refinancing efforts since August have cut Wichita’s debt service by almost $16.2 million, city manager Robert Layton said last week.

The Arkansas State Police Retirement System will likely ask the General Assembly for more funding in 2013 due to a rise in the system’s unfunded liabilities to $135 million in 2011 from $122 million in 2010.

El Mirage’s $8.5 million bond request was approved by a three-vote margin on Nov. 8 after early returns showed the measure failing by 19 votes.

The Maricopa County supervisors voted last week to again ask the Arizona Legislature to halt its practice of levying a mandated contribution on counties to help balance the state budget.

DALLAS - The Louisiana State Bond Commission gave its approval Thursday to a plan by New Orleans to avoid a budget shortfall in 2012 with a $16.5 million refunding.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Monday it would send another $390 million of hazard mitigation funds to Louisiana parishes most affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

Trustees of the Bossier Parish School Board will meet Thursday night to consider a facilities assessment report in preparation for setting a general obligation bond election in spring 2013.

DALLAS - The South Louisiana Port Commission will expand cargo-handling capabilities at the Port of South Louisiana with a new pier financed by $8 million of port revenue bonds.