Karen is a senior reporter covering the Southwest. She has covered the municipal bond market for more than 30 years at The Bond Buyer and Reuters. Prior to that she wrote about futures and options markets for magazines and was an award-winning reporter for a suburban Chicago newspaper chain.
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Otero County addressed an Open Meetings Act violation by reapproving a contract with ICE that generates revenue to pay off bonds for a detention facility.
By Karen PierogMarch 26 -
A lawsuit filed this week seeking to end Austin's transportation user fee comes as the Texas city is launching its fiscal 2027 budget process.
By Karen PierogMarch 25 -
The AA-minus-rated bonds come to market as the hospital sector continues to navigate through rising expenses and other challenges.
By Karen PierogMarch 24 -
Otero County's March 13 emergency meeting to avoid a bond default did not comply with the Open Meetings Act, the state's Justice Department determined.
By Karen PierogMarch 23 -
A Fitch rating analyst pointed to the school system's elevated long-term liability burden that could be exacerbated by future voter-approved bonds.
By Karen PierogMarch 19 -
The drought-stricken Texas city could face a water emergency as soon as May or October under scenarios presented to the city council.
By Karen PierogMarch 18 -
Otero County commissioners approved an agreement with the federal immigration agency to avert a bond default despite a state law banning such contracts.
By Karen PierogMarch 17 -
Upper and Lower Basin states are at odds over post-2026 operations for the drought-stricken river, raising litigation risks and highlighting credit uncertainty.
By Karen PierogMarch 17 -
State authorization for $1.35 billion of taxable ratepayer-backed bonds sold in 2022 for Oklahoma Natural Gas Company is being contested in court.
By Karen PierogMarch 16 -
The authority would own and oversee a $3 billion partly bond-financed domed stadium for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.
By Karen PierogMarch 13 -
The rating agency cited the state's sustained improvements in fiscal management and robust reserves.
By Karen PierogMarch 13 -
The Texas city's bond issue will mostly refinance short-term commercial paper into long-term debt and refund some callable Series 2015 bonds.
By Karen PierogMarch 12 -
The 10th annual event, which was originally scheduled for Oct. 1, will take place next week with the participation of some key city officials.
By Karen PierogMarch 10 -
A detailed plan for issuing the bonds, which will be backed by an extension of a 1% special sales tax, is expected by May 15.
By Karen PierogMarch 10 -
The audit did not quell calls for greater transparency and oversight for the authority as it continues a bond-financed expansion program.
By Karen PierogMarch 10 -
A state judge ordered the Arizona Legislature to enact a system for funding public school facilities that is constitutional and set a timeframe for compliance.
By Karen PierogMarch 6 -
A lawsuit claims Texas Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock illegally removed minority- and women-owned firms from a program created by the state legislature.
By Karen PierogMarch 3 -
The drought-stricken Texas city welcomed the president's support for "a serious money ask" as it revisits a costly seawater desalination project.
By Karen PierogMarch 3 -
Major Texas cities are prepping big bond issues to finance convention center expansions, with Houston hitting the market this week with $1.425 billion of debt.
By Karen PierogMarch 3 -
The Texas cities of Irving and Farmers Branch joined Plano in calling off May elections on withdrawing from Dallas Area Rapid Transit.
By Karen PierogFebruary 27



















