Far West

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has fined three firms $76,500 for violating rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board.

House Republicans will move forward with a "Plan B" fiscal cliff package that will not include a cap on the value of tax-exemption or other tax expenditures, expecting to vote on it as early as Thursday.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board is requesting feedback on, among other things, whether its rules impose undue burdens on market participants, and how those burdens could be alleviated.

An oversight panel chaired by California treasurer Bill Lockyer is analyzing the bond debt of the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency and the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency to determine if they can take on more debt to fund a planned extension.

The California Public Employees' Retirement System filed a motion requesting a hearing, scheduled Friday, to determine San Bernardino's Chapter 9 bankruptcy eligibility be postponed.

Bond market creditors filed final legal challenges on Friday to Stockton, Calif.'s petition for bankruptcy protection, laying the groundwork for a potentially precedent-setting legal battle.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is at the forefront of a nationwide push to create a new tax-credit bond program for transportation investment.

The Poseidon Resources seawater desalination plant project experienced many delays, but the market for its BBB-minus project financing looks good now that Poseidon is ready to sell $781 million in bonds.

The Municipal Bonds for America launched a technical advisory committee this week as a technical market data resource for members of Congress, congressional staff, policymakers and to support the overall advocacy issues of the coalition.

Two Democratic state senators in Washington, Rodney Tom and Tim Sheldon, defected from their caucus to hand control to Republicans.