Far West

A new office at the U.S. Treasury Department will focus on state and local finance issues, including distressed municipalities and their management of pensions and other liabilities.

Restitution from seven corrupt former Bell, Calif. city leaders is expected to total more than $18 million, but the city's current finance director isn't convinced the city will see that money.

An audit of Cudahy, Calif. by State Controller John Chiang found misuse of taxpayer dollars, contract violations, mismanaged state grant funds, and more questionable financial practices.

California is planning to sell $750 million of general obligation bonds next week to fund transportation projects and refund outstanding commercial paper debt.

Moody's says that tentative settlement agreements mean North Las Vegas, Nev. is less likely to be taken over by the state as it rushes to present a tentative budget to the state.

Proposed California legislation that could put $1.5 billion in bond proceeds from former redevelopment agencies into play could be credit positive for local governments, according to Fitch Ratings.

The Alaska State Senate passed a $2.1 billion budget bill on Friday, along with other bills authorizing bond issuances.

Hercules closed on its tender offer Thursday avoiding potential bond defaults and sealing the deal on the sale of its utility to invester-owned Pacific Gas & Electric.

San Mateo County is planning to sell $210 million of lease revenue bonds to finance construction for a new correctional facility in Redwood City, Calif.

The District of Columbia's new chief financial officer will likely oversee the issuance of more than $1 billion of bonds in fiscal 2015 and hopes to develop a plan that assesses D.C.'s capital challenges and how best to meet them over the long term.