Far West

The decade-long process leading to the construction of the new $1.26 billion Gerald Desmond Bridge to serve the Port of Long Beach, Calif. is gathering steam.

Mayor Eric Garcetti has nominated Gene Seroka, an executive with APL shipping line, as executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.

Reports last week of a push for Chapter 9 legislation by North Las Vegas were "factually inaccurate," according to Ryann Juden, a spokesman.

Los Angeles is moving ahead with an alternative plan to expand its convention center given fading plans for a National Football League stadium at the location.

The Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority is planning to sell $43 million of general obligation bonds in a competitive offering in June.

The state of Alaska had its first budget deficit this year after years of large surpluses, but its credit strength still remains very strong, according to a report from Standard & Poor’s.

Moody's Investors Service has downgrade Hastings College of the Law to A2 from A1.

The Los Angeles City Council approved a $8.1 billion budget that ramps reserves up to roughly 7% of the budget and restores few services.

A panel that advises the Internal Revenue Service will present reports next month, including one from the committee's tax-exempt bonds team on the treatment of management contracts.

If Gov. Jerry Brown's budget proposal gets through the state legislature, California will be on track to continue its fiscal recovery, market experts say.