Far West

Standard & Poor's upgraded California's general obligation rating to A from A-minus in a move the municipal bond market has expected.

Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth opens a Reno, Nev., office and hires 14-year bond veteran, Scott Shaver, formerly of Sherman & Howard, to run it.

Build America Mutual Assurance Company announced Wednesday night that it has been licensed to operate in the state of California.

The majority of the 202 California cities that Standard & Poor's rates are likely to see improving credit quality in 2013 as their economies recover and revenues strengthen.

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."