Randall Jensen

SAN FRANCISCO — A California lawmaker has called for an audit of two of the state’s largest third-party bond issuers, citing concerns about transparency, conflicts of interest and public benefit.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Los Angeles County treasurer has fired a warning shot at bond attorneys, underwriters and advisers in a bid stop school bond practices that he says hurt taxpayers.

SAN FRANCISCO — Portland school district voters last week narrowly rejected a $548 million school construction bond measure — the biggest-ever attempted by a local government in Oregon.

SAN FRANCISCO — California Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to cut bond sales as part of his new budget will stretch an already tight market for the state’s debt.

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire is looking for a new source of revenue to help pay for transportation projects.

Stockton, Calif., has declared another fiscal emergency in an effort to try to reduce rising labor costs.

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded to Aa2 from Aa1 the financially strapped city of Costa Mesa, Calif.

The Los Angeles City Council passed a $6.9 billion budget Wednesday that filled a more than $300 million deficit, according to local press reports.

Alaska’s Legislature has passed an operating and capital budget after a drawn-out fight over energy projects and oil taxes.

SAN FRANCISCO — Southern California’s San Joaquin Hills toll road has gotten a green light from bondholders to restructure $2 billion of debt that helps avoid a default.

SAN FRANCISCO — Moody’s Investors Service on Monday downgraded Hawaii to Aa2 from Aa1, affecting $5.1 billion of outstanding debt.

SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Jerry Brown released a revised budget Monday that dramatically reduces planned bond issuance as part of an effort to narrow overall state borrowing.

SAN FRANCISCO — California Treasurer Bill Lockyer is pushing a bill that would allow the state, the largest issuer of municipal debt, to take the unusual step of selling $25 bonds on the New York Stock Exchange.

SAN FRANCISCO — As Gov. Jerry Brown readies the release of his second shot at a balanced budget next week, the California bond market has become hamstrung by the delay.

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the Las Vegas Valley Water District’s rating to Aa2 from Aa1, affecting $1.8 billion of debt.

San Diego has reached tentative agreements with its employee unions on a retiree health care plan that will save the city more than $700 million over the next 25 years, according to Mayor Jerry Sanders.

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded Montebello to Baa2 from A3 because of weak cash flow, depleted reserves, and ongoing budget problems.

Alaska’s Senate broke an impasse this week to pass a $2.8 billion capital budget.

SAN FRANCISCO — Vallejo, Calif., will likely exit Chapter 9 bankruptcy by the end of July as it nears deals with two of its unions, according to attorneys.

SAN FRANCISCO — California Gov. Jerry Brown will release a revised budget next week that will outline plans to close a $15 billion hole after he hit firm resistance to his original budget-balancing plan.