Far West

Leaders from three municipal bond insurers discuss the future of the insurance industry at The Bond Buyer's California Public Finance Conference.

Brownstone Investment Group, a New York-based fixed-income investment firm with a municipal bond department, opened an office in San Francisco to expand its presence to the West Coast.

The American College of Bond Counsel re-elected its officers at a meeting in Chicago.

The California State Public Works Board is planning to sell $473 million of lease revenue bonds next week to finance construction and improvements at various state correction facilities and universities.

California Treasurer Bill Lockyer spoke about the state's future debt financing plans at The Bond Buyer's California Public Finance Conference on Wednesday.

Issuing municipal bonds is a complex process fraught with potential conflicts, Chris Mier, managing director of the analytical services division for Loop Capital Markets, told bond issuers here Wednesday.

Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Peter Luchetti to the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank board of directors.

California received a 30-day extension to reduce prison overcrowding in a ruling Tuesday from three federal judges.

Pat Mulroy, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Monday announced plans to retire.

Broker-dealers are concerned about the exemptions provided for underwriters in the Securities and Exchange Commission's municipal advisor registration rule, saying it hampers their ability to "pitch ideas" to issuers.