Far West

Municipal advisors remain concerned about one of the key provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission's municipal advisor registration rule, although communications between issuers and underwriters remain robust nearly eight months after the final effectiveness of the rule.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a favorable private-letter ruling to an issuer who planned to issue governmental and private-activity bonds to finance improvements to water facilities.

A $35.4 million issue of revenue bonds for a private detention center in Central Texas will retain tax-exempt status following a review by the Internal Revenue Service, according to a disclosure notice.

Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown becomes the state's next governor after the current governor resigned under pressure in the wake of allegations that his fiancé misused the governor's office.

Almost $3 billion of potential lost revenue from cuts in Maryland gasoline taxes could cripple spending for major transportation projects.

Leslie Carey Kirk has joined Siebert Brandford Shank & Co. Washington, D.C.'s office as general counsel for the firm.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has fined two firms $370,000 for violating securities rules in their management of Puerto Rico funds, and dinged another firm $50,000 for violating trade reporting requirements.

The Conroe Industrial Development Corporation in Texas has requested a settlement under the Internal Revenue Service's voluntary closing agreement program to resolve a tax violation relating to bonds it issued in 2008 and 2012.

Harvey J. Goldschmid, a former Securities and Exchange Commission member who played a key role in getting the American Bar Association to adopt an ethics rule to prevent municipal bond and other pay-to-play practices, died Feb. 12 at the age 74 from complications of pneumonia.

Washington state lawmakers' new $15 billion transportation proposal funded with a higher gasolines tax and $4.3 billion of state GO bonds.