Far West

As California's housing market recovers, property tax payments for some will likely increase by more than 10% for the next several years, causing local property tax revenues to grow, according to California's legislative analyst's office.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board is revising its proposed rule governing the duties of municipal advisors in response to market comments, and will also propose amending its pay-to-play rule to cover MAs, the MSRB announced Tuesday.

Large public funds tracked by the Wilshire Trust Universe Comparison Service outperformed small ones in the first quarter of 2014.

Nearly insolvent North Las Vegas is facing the same four factors that contributed to the financial distress of Harrisburg, Stockton and Detroit, according to a recent report from Fitch Ratings.

The Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority privately placed $34 million of bonds to fund construction projects at Saint Martin's University.

The California Public Employees' Retirement System has filed a friend of the court brief in support of appeals to Detroit's eligibility to be in bankruptcy.

Oregon's first general obligation bond sale of the year met strong demand last week, according to the state treasurer's office.

Moody's Investors Service has issued a report stating the proposal by a commission calling for external rate regulation and greater oversight of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power would be credit negative if implemented.

Fitch Ratings maintained a junk rating and negative outlook on $422 million in North Las Vegas' bonds based on a tentative budget and indications that a state takeover appears unlikely in the near term.

Fitch Ratings said it could upgrade the ratings on tax allocation bonds issued by former redevelopment agencies based on some positive effects of dissolution legislation.