Far West

The evolving understanding of climate change poses challenges in evaluating and disclosing municipal securities risk, said panelists at The Bond Buyer's California Public Finance Conference.

The market is expected to warmly receive the California State Public Works Board's $254 million lease revenue bond deal.

If pension obligations are impaired in the Stockton, Calif. bankruptcy case, state lawmakers could respond by closing the door to bankruptcy for California municipalities, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer predicted.

Former Financial Industry Regulatory Authority vice chairman Stephen Luparello received $5.34 million of total compensation in 2012 — the highest of any of the individuals in The Bond Buyer's annual survey of the compensation levels at 21 industry, self-regulatory, state and local, and muni related groups.

Fitch Ratings takes a look at the various strategies of dealing with water supply issues among California's five largest urban water utilities.

Alaska has an edge over North Dakota in credit quality because of its exceptional fiscal reserves, according to Moody's Investors Service.

Positive financial developments for California school districts may be offset by numerous pressures, according to Fitch Ratings.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power received across-the-board AA-minus affirmations from the three largest rating agencies ahead of plans to price $450 million in power system revenue bonds.

Marc Hughes joined Mesirow Financial last week after being laid off as head of Municipal Investment Banking for Mitsubishi UFJ Securities in a downsizing of that firm's West Coast long-term municipal bond team.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced the nominations of four people to immediately fill vacancies on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents that resulted from resignations on the 15-member board.