Far West

A short-term federal government shutdown will have minimal impact on issuers, though some areas with a significant federal presence like Washington D.C. may see some lost economic activity, ratings agencies said.

Geraldine Knatz, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, announced Thursday, that she will be retiring at the end of the year.

Nevada plans to price $650 million in unemployment insurance revenue bonds on Oct. 29 to repay the federal government for outstanding balances.

Public Financial Management announced Thursday that it has expanded its higher education practice in the Los Angeles office.

The recently signed bill to curb California school districts’ issuance of capital appreciation bonds is a credit positive for the districts, according to a report from Fitch Ratings.

A court ruling that overturned a freeze on retiree healthcare cost inflation in Los Angeles could be a credit negative for state and local governments, according to Fitch Ratings.

A federal appeals court ruling in a case brought by investors should set a favorable precedent for municipal bond issuers, said an attorney for Alameda, Calif., which prevailed.

Speakers at The Bond Buyer's California Public Finance conference suggested tax reforms to stabilize the revenue volatility seen as contributing to the state's single-A ratings.

A default would be unprecedented and would have the potential to be catastrophic, the Treasury Department warns in a paper issued Thursday.

Fitch Ratings downgraded Cerritos Community College District from AA-plus to AA with a stable outlook impacting $57.5 million in bonds.