Far West

Standard & Poor’s analysts say a recent bill to smooth the process of dissolving California’s agencies will have minimal effect on credit.

The House and Senate approved a measure on Wednesday that would avert a federal government shutdown and fund federal departments and programs through Dec. 11.

The Securities and Exchange Commission ordered 22 municipal securities underwriting firms to pay $4.12 million in civil penalties in the second round of what some lawyers said on Wednesday will be three total rounds of underwriter settlements under the commission’s Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation initiative.

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded about $23 million of Sonoma Valley Health Care District, Calif. general obligation bonds to Baa1 from A1.

Hawaii's Maui County received affirmations on its AA-plus-level ratings for the fifth year running ahead of plans on Oct. 7 to sell $61 million in general obligation bonds competitively.

A water banking agreement between Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a credit positive, Moody’s Investors Service said.

The California Department of Finance approved spending $10 million from budget reserves to clean up debris considered a safety hazard from two fires that ravaged Northern California.

The National Football League is asking its players to help finance any new stadium in Los Angeles, a prerequisite to putting a team in the No. 2 U.S. media market for the first time since the Raiders and Rams bolted in 1994.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell sent a letter to rail officials demanding answers about $1.1 billion in cost overruns on Oahu’s 20-mile elevated rail project.

The Fremont-Rideout Health Group received a three-notch Standard & Poor's downgrade to BBB from A on three series of revenue bonds, citing a sharp deterioration in financial performance.