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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A refinancing plan for the defaulted Legacy Cares bonds aimed to raise money to settle claims from contractors and others.
February 28 -
Legislation barring government contracts with companies that engage in a growing list of "boycotts" in their business dealings has popped up in several states.
February 27 -
Law firm Greenberg Traurig expects to grow its public finance footprint in Texas with the addition of five lawyers.
February 24 -
The Arkansas LEARNS bill would create "education freedom" accounts to help cover private school expenses.
February 23 -
A controversial $5 billion bond-financed extension project spurred several bills that would alter the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's debt and other practices.
February 21 -
The taxable bonds, which finally received state approval, will be offered with maturities in 2033 and 2039.
February 17 -
Gov. Greg Abbott used his State of the State address to fast track his priorities for the legislative session and drop a hint about an upcoming $100 billion transportation infrastructure plan.
February 17 -
Rating analysts said dropping reserves to 0.25% from 5% to free up capacity does not impact the school bond guarantee program's triple-A ratings.
February 15 -
A reduction in the program's reserves and February debt payments and maturities of outstanding guaranteed bonds will increase capacity by $7 billion to $9 billion.
February 13 -
Rising interest rates depressed refunding opportunities, but new money issuance rose amid demand for infrastructure to serve the region's growing population.
February 13 -
With $300 million of term bonds due in 2051 underperforming in secondary market trading, Kansas officials are eyeing a surplus revenue funded buyback plan.
February 13 -
Citi was barred from underwriting government bonds in Texas under a state law prohibiting contracts with companies that "discriminate" against the firearms industry.
February 9 -
Public school districts faced $1.38 billion in spending cuts next month due to a constitutional cap on expenditures.
February 9 -
The award to the South Terminal's private operator comes as Austin plans to demolish the facility as part of an expansion project to accommodate increased airport traffic.
February 8 -
Gov. Kevin Stitt wants to tap surplus revenue to build up reserves and is once again asking the legislature to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries and pass an expanded school voucher program.
February 7 -
Todd Russ, who took office Jan. 9, is vetting banks and financial institutions to determine if they are 'boycotting' Oklahoma's fossil fuel industry.
February 6 -
Despite its nearly drained capacity, the Texas Permanent School Fund program continues to operate as it seeks legislative and regulatory solutions to a federal cap.
February 3 -
Energy production taxes slowed or fell last month, with the oil tax generating $486 million, which was 14% higher than in January 2022, and natural gas tax revenue falling 13% at $322 million.
February 2 -
Christian Care Centers' bankruptcy liquidation plan leaves bondholders impaired after an asset sale raised only $44.25 million.
January 31 -
The popularity of Arizona's universal school choice program, which pays for private schools, brought higher-than-projected costs and future budget impact.
January 30
