Richard Williamson

DALLAS — A new section of the 180-mile, $6 billion toll road that loops around the outer Houston metro area known as the Grand Parkway could break ground this fall after winning approval from the Texas Transportation Commission.

Standard & Poor's put Glendale, Ariz.'s certificates of participation on negative watch as the city prepares to issue $100 million of debt to help a private investor buy the Phoenix Coyotes National Hockey League team.

DALLAS — A wave of financial emergencies brought on by deep cuts in Texas education spending will bring additional credit scrutiny to school districts but not necessarily downgrades, Standard & Poor's analysts said Tuesday.

DALLAS — As Texas urban transit authorities continue to expand light-rail lines to ease congestion, they are also investing heavily in their workhorse buses, combining local and federal funds to develop cleaner, more efficient systems.

DALLAS — The North Texas Tollway Authority’s decision in 2007 to pay $3.2 billion for the right to build the Sam Rayburn Tollway was a mistake that has limited its ability to take on new projects, according to NTTA chairman Victor ­Vandergriff.

DALLAS — The Texas A&M University System will offer one of the largest Southwest deals Tuesday in a lean municipal market.

DALLAS — Texas schools are waiting to see how deeply the Legislature cuts their funding before seeking more bond authority from taxpayers, finance experts say.

DALLAS — Glendale, Ariz., is taking a downgrade as it prepares to issue $116 million of revenue bonds to keep the National Hockey League’s Phoenix Coyotes playing in city-owned Jobing.com arena.

DALLAS — Moody’s Investors Service lowered the outlook on Arizona to negative from stable, indicating a possible future downgrade of the economically troubled state’s Aa3 rating.

DALLAS — A bill introduced by Arizona House Speaker Kirk Adams would reduce pension obligations by extending the retirement age to 65 and requiring police officers and firefighters to contribute more toward their benefits.

DALLAS — Analysts say that debt ratings for international toll bridges in Texas are bearing up under the stress of continuing drug violence in Mexico and recent traffic declines due to additional crossing points.

DALLAS — First Southwest Co. has named public finance expert Rob Feigenson senior vice president in charge of the company’s new Washington, D.C., office.

DALLAS — Orix USA, a Dallas-based financial services and investment firm, has hired veteran municipal banker Andrew Garvey as managing director, the company said.

DALLAS — Houston is preparing to add a third professional stadium to the downtown area after the City Council approved plans Wednesday to build an $80 million home for the Dynamo professional soccer team.

DALLAS — As Denver International Airport embarks on the largest expansion project in its 16-year history, it’s benefitting from surging passenger levels and an improving economy that yielded a new traffic record in 2010.

DALLAS — If volume in January was any indication, it’s ­going to be a lean year for new issuance in the Southwest.

DALLAS — J. Kevin Ward, executive administrator of the Texas Water Development Board, is leaving the agency after 22 years to become general manager of the Trinity River Authority.

The first outline of a spending plan from the Texas Legislative Budget Board calls for deep cuts in public education, programs for the needy, and criminal justice, while preserving a $9.4 billion rainy-day fund.

DALLAS — Faced with a weakening municipal debt market, Glendale, Ariz., is considering a private placement for up to $125 million of revenue bonds to keep the Phoenix Coyotes playing hockey in the city-owned Jobing.com arena.

DALLAS — Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport will launch a seven-year project to remodel its four original ­terminals next month. But despite the $2.3 billion cost, officials do not expect 2011 to be a year of heavy bond issuance for new money.