Far West

California's new water usage restrictions are a credit negative for water utilities throughout the state, according to Moody's Investors Service.

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority will close on about $450 million of debt July 23, most of it in the form of a historic green century bond issuance that DC Water's chief financial officer is crediting with introducing new investors to the large, frequent issuer.

The Contra Costa County, Calif. civil grand jury found that seven of its school districts have issued capital appreciation bonds in the last ten years, and is urging them not to sell any more.

Providence Health & Services priced a deal to finance acquisition of a California hospital, an example of the consolidation trend in healthcare as hospitals grapple with financial pressures wrought by the federal healthcare law

Fitch Ratings on affirmed its AAA long-term rating and F1-plus short-term rating on the credit enhancement program sponsored by the California Public Employees' Retirement System.

The Alameda Unified School District board of education gave the go ahead for a $180 million general obligation bond for school improvements to go on the November ballot.

Reno, Nevada, conducted a special budget workshop July 15 in an attempt to plug a $2 million hole created when a Washoe County District Judge filed an injunction on June 24 preventing the city from laying off 33 firefighters

Dealers pay less for munis than customers, particularly when there is more time between trades, according to a long-awaited study commissioned by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board. But market sources say the finding is not surprising and that the report is limited in its results.

Puerto Rico's non-voting representative in Congress met with credit rating agencies and investment bankers in New York last weekend, seeking to assure them of Puerto Rico's economic future.

Chances for swift passage of a billion bailout of the highway fund rise with Obama's support of the House's temporary fix.