Far West

Asset managers may have to register as municipal advisors to protect themselves from violating the Securities and Exchange Commission's MA rule, which places restrictions on advice concerning muni bond proceeds and other financial products commonly used by states and localities.

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded to A3 from A2 the rating on Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.

Moody's Investors Service upgraded the ratings on University of La Verne, Calif. a notch to Baa1 with a stable outlook affecting $88.4 million in debt.

The years Honolulu officials invested in its $5.2 billion elevated rail project are paying off, while Los Angeles officials are fighting for a funding arrangement they say is needed for their rail plans to reach fruition.

Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee gave its unanimous approval to six-year bill authorizing $242 billion of federal highway funding.

Stockton, Calif. heads into the final day of its scheduled four-day trial to determine if it can emerge from Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

Washington's Issaquah School District is planning to sell $55 million of triple-A rated general obligation bonds later this month.

The draft transportation bill released by a key Senate committee falls far short of funding needs by proposing only $242.4 billion for road projects over six years, administration officials and highway industry experts are warning.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced May 9 the appointment of Ford Fuchigami as interim director of the state Department of Transportation.

Hawaii legislators approved legislation last week that extends authorization of $77 million in special purpose revenue bonds to fund the $250 million Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning project.