Richard Williamson

Arkansas started 2015 with a 7.8% year-over-year increase in January net revenues, keeping growth for the current fiscal year 2.2% ahead of schedule, according to John Shelnutt, head of economic analysis and tax research for the state.

Kansas revenue officials said that greater-than-expected income tax refunds contributed to lower-than-expected revenues in January, extending the $279 million shortfall for the current fiscal year.

Dennis Hunt will head the public finance team at Stephens Inc. upon the retirement of Mark McBryde after 40 years at the firm.

Conduit bond issuers for two Texas counties failed to make full debt payments on private detention facilities that they were forced to take over, according to recent disclosures.

Delivering her budget and state-of-the-state address on the same day, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin urged the opening session of the state Legislature to find a longterm solution to this year’s $300 million shortfall.

Austin's airport hotel is seeking new terms from creditors on $40 million of bonds that were restructured a decade ago. The bonds are again in default after revenues fell short of debt service requirements.

After bearing the cost of its second Super Bowl, Glendale, Ariz., expects to finish a series of refundings this week with more than $44 million in present value savings so far.

Arizona State University will begin a major remodeling of its 56-year-old Sun Devil Stadium this spring, financed in part by a $356 million bond deal coming to market Feb. 24.

Moody's Investors Service downgraded the Unified Government of Kansas City and Wyandotte County, Kan., to A1 from Aa3 due to "narrow general fund reserves and liquidity compared to similarly rated credits."

Baird has added eight bankers to its Houston public finance team from RBC Capital Markets, Milwaukee-based Baird said.

Moody's Investors Service downgraded Texas school bus operator Dallas County School District's $67 million of general obligation debt to Baa1 from A3 and retained a negative outlook.

Newly inaugurated Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will not face prosecution from the embattled Travis County District Attorney's office for violating state securities law.

After seven months of growth, the Texas Economic Activity Index has dipped, reflecting the impact of falling oil prices, according to Comerica Bank.

Colorado lawmakers may get their day before the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge the Taxpayer Bill of Rights that requires voter approval of all tax increases in the state.

A private corporation that sought to build a toll road east of Dallas would lose its power to condemn land through eminent domain under a bill introduced by State Rep. Cindy Burkett.

The Texas Senate's version of a $205.1 billion biennial budget includes $4 billion for tax cuts, despite uncertainty over revenues in a weakening economy.

Squeezing institutional and retail pricing into one day because of an approaching blizzard, the Utah Transit Authority captured record savings on the largest deal in its history.

Standard & Poor's lowered the outlook on Arizona State University's AA rating based on prospects for increased debt issuance over the next two years, the agency said.

Moody's Investors Service downgraded healthcare giant Catholic Health Inititiatives to A2 from A1 after a year of declining operating performance.

The Republican-controlled Utah Legislature is considering an increase in the gasoline tax to close an $11.3 billion funding gap for transportation through 2040.