Far West

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.

Moody's Investors Service downgraded to A1 from Aa3 general obligation bonds of Kootenai County School No. 273 in Post Falls, Idaho, affecting $8.5 million in debt.

California will try to revive residential Property Assessed Clean Energy by setting up a reserve fund that would reimburse Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for any losses incurred from PACE liens.

The National Association of Bond Lawyers is working on projects aimed at shedding more light on the varying strength of general obligation bond pledges, as well post-issuance tax and disclosure compliance, NABL president-elect Allen Robertson said in a recent interview.