Jim Watts

DALLAS — The Louisiana State Bond Commission is expected to allocate $600 million of Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds to a single project at its Thursday meeting.

Voters in Provo will have the opportunity in November to decide on the city’s plan to issue $39 million of general obligation bonds for construction of a new recreation center.

Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, said last week he is considering introducing a constitutional amendment that would raise the gasoline tax to support highway revenue bonds approved by Texas voters in 2003.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission distributed $153 million in sales and use tax collections to cities and counties in August, an increase from August 2009’s $141.3 million.

The difference between the assets of the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System and its obligations to retired state employees is down to $7.6 billion after peaking at $8.2 billion at the end of 2008.

Three sites in Mesa have the potential to provide the Chicago Cubs with the type of unique retail-shopping experience that the team wants to include as part of a new spring training complex in the city.

DALLAS — Texas sales tax revenues in fiscal 2010 were $1.5 billion less than expected in the official forecast, putting in doubt the projections for collections of $44.3 billion over the two-year state budget cycle.

DALLAS — Voters in East Baton Rouge Parish may have their third chance in 30 months to decide on taxes to support a bond package similar to one that has been rejected twice.

DALLAS — Oklahoma is preparing a list of highway projects that could get under way quickly if Congress approves President Obama’s proposed $50 billion infrastructure stimulus program.

Baton Rouge expects to realize net present-value savings of 9% with next week’s sale of $19.9 million of sales-tax revenue refunding bonds, which will refund outstanding debt from a 2001 issue.

DALLAS — The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority will build two new streetcar lines with proceeds from the upcoming negotiated sale of $75 million of sales tax revenue bonds.

Two large business groups are taking opposite sides on Austin’s proposal for $90 million of general obligation bonds for road and street work. The election is set for Nov. 2.

Almost 80% of voters approved a request last week for $50 million of general obligation bonds by the Farmington Municipal School District No. 5.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs this year will distribute $37 million of state oil and gas severance taxes and federal mineral lease payments to 506 counties, cities, and school districts.

The Joint Adequacy Evaluation Oversight Committee last week withdrew both its recommendation that the Arkansas General Assembly increase state aid by 2.5% in fiscal 2012 and its proposal for a 2.9% hike in fiscal 2013.

Phoenix will use $3.5 million of bond proceeds from a 2006 authorization to purchase the 92-acre site of the Pioneer Living History Museum from its new owners after being outbid for the property earlier this summer.

DALLAS — Kansas general fund revenue came in 10% higher than expected in August, which Gov. Mark Parkinson called “another clear sign” the state’s economy is beginning to recover.

Trustees of Zachary Community School District No. 1 voted Monday to set a Nov. 2 election for $40 million of general obligation bonds.

Corpus Christi Independent School District will build two new schools if voters sign off on a $125 million general obligation bond referendum on Nov. 2.

A proposal by Logan County Independent School District No. 1 for $89.8 million of lease-revenue bonds was rejected last week by almost 78% of those voting.