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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The state's Republican governor and legislative leaders ordered 3% cuts for the next biannual budget as they announced their priorities for the 2027 session.
July 16 -
The city's issuer rating was raised a notch to Aaa and ratings for other debt, including for its water and wastewater utility system, were also upgraded.
July 14 -
Increased use and size of the economic development tool led to the exemption of about $1.1 billion in property taxes between 2010 and 2024.
July 14 -
The combined utility system's commercial paper program capacity was increased to $1.5 billion and an up to $345 million cash flow borrowing was set for August.
July 8 -
The appointment of Don Huffines, a former state senator who won the March 3 Republican primary election for comptroller, takes effect Aug. 1.
July 7 -
Some Southwest states and local governments are reassessing data center developments amid public backlash and litigation against the proliferating projects.
July 7 -
The rating agency confirmed the Texas city's A1 bond ratings, ending a review for potential downgrade spurred by an impending water supply crisis.
July 2 -
The nation's two largest crude oil producing states are reporting revenue increases in the wake of the Iran conflict, which began Feb. 28.
July 2 -
A lawsuit filed in federal court comes as the turnpike was seeking approval from a state oversight council for $1.5 billion of revenue bonds.
June 30 -
The city council in August will consider placing $500 million of pension obligation bonds on the Nov. 3 ballot for its police and fire retirement system.
June 30 -
The outlook revision to stable from negative follows the city's adoption of a fiscal 2027 budget with structural changes that greatly reduced a shortfall.
June 26 -
A state court validated up to $1.35 billion of Series 2026 special tax revenue bonds for a project to replace the city's convention center.
June 25 -
The potential timing for a water supply emergency, which had been projected for December, was pushed nine months into the future with the help of rainfall.
June 23 -
Debt proceeds are earmarked for renovations to the university's football stadium, as well as for student housing, parking and other athletic projects.
June 23 -
The nearly $18.3 billion fiscal 2027 budget signed by the governor this month provides $1.4 billion in tax cuts over four years.
June 23 -
The latest update for the project at the Southwest Airlines hub showed an estimated $2.54 billion price tag and plans to issue general airport revenue bonds.
June 16 -
The Texas city's $115 million general obligation bond sale comes as a water supply emergency and potential further negative rating actions loom.
June 16 -
The spending plan includes revenue-raising measures involving the bond-issuing combined utility system that have sparked concerns by the city's controller.
June 11 -
Hays County prevailed in its appeal of a district court ruling affecting nearly $440 million of general obligation bonds voters approved in 2024.
June 10 -
A proposed $3 billion sports and entertainment district would involve bond issuance for a Dallas Stars hockey arena and public infrastructure.
June 9
