Far West

The beleaguered Orange County Transportation Authority garnered another round of criticism recently — this time from a San Francisco nonprofit recommending that the tollway agency postpone an extension to its toll road until state authorities can review the operation.

Democrats in the Oregon Senate have proposed a bill has been proposed by that would reform the state's public employees pension system.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell elected in November 2012 has announced his nominations for budget director and deputy director.

All 42 voters in Vernon, Calif. turned out to support an election to decide three tax measures city leaders say is needed to close an $8 million budget gap, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

An ongoing feud between San Diego Mayor Bob Filner and the city's hotel owners over the release of tourism marketing funds resumed Tuesday — little more than a week after an agreement was reached, according to a report from the Voice of San Diego.

State Controller John Chiang said Wednesday that state revenues in March came in $395 million, or 7.2%, above estimates in the governor's proposed budget.

Standard & Poor's said in a report Monday that Stockton's eligibility for bankruptcy will likely have an impact on local governments in distress.

The commercial property side of Property Assessed Clean Energy has drawn so much interest that market watchers think in a few years enough volume could exist in California to start bundling the currently privately-placed bonds to sell in the public market.

President Obama's fiscal year 2014 budget again proposed a 28% cap on tax expenditures including municipal bond interest for the top 2% of income earners, despite efforts by muni market participants lobbying against the proposal.

The National Federation of Municipal Analysts said Wednesday they have filed an amicus curiae brief in California Superior Court in support of a lawsuit filed by insurer Syncora Guarantee over laws extinguishing redevelopment agencies in the state.