Far West

Word has surfaced that Los Angeles may make an offer for the Atlanta Falcons. The news comes as the Falcons are trying to negotiate for a new $1 billion stadium.

District of Columbia Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi and Mayor Vincent Gray announced a $417 million 2012 surplus this week, bringing the city's fund balance to its highest in five years.

Revenues at municipalities may increase slightly in 2013 and additional municipal bankruptcies will be uncommon as state and local governments continue a slow economic recovery, speakers at the Governing Outlook conference said here Tuesday.

Los Angeles and San Diego are both crafting plans to rectify years of deferred maintenance resulting in crumbling city streets and sidewalks.

U.S. airports have $71.3 billion in capital needs through 2017, a major airport interest group said Tuesday, a funding goal that they are not on track to meet.

Public-private partnerships are "toxic" to a lot of people and the mere mention of them can hinder projects, California Treasurer Bill Lockyer said Tuesday. Lockyer said, "Avoid talking about public-private partnerships. They are toxic with a lot of people."

A bill pending in the Maryland Senate would require the state transportation authority to begin exploring the possibility of a bond-financed bridge across the Chesapeake Bay.

San Francisco Supervisor John Avalos plans to request a hearing to examine whether city investments were harmed by manipulation of a key lending rate.

Ray LaHood, a big supporter of high-speed rail and the Dulles Silver Line project, plans to step down as Transportation Secretary after a successor is nominated and confirmed by the Senate.

Legislation has been introduced in California to curtail the use of some capital appreciation bonds sold by school and community college districts.