Far West

Fitch Ratings downgraded $572 million in debt issued for Loma Linda University Medical Center one notch to BBB-minus, the lowest investment grade rating

The San Diego County Water Authority board could vote as soon as Nov. 29 on a $3 billion water purchase agreement with Stamford, Conn.-based Poseidon Resources, the private developer of a Carlsbad, Calif. seawater desalination plant.

The Los Angeles City Council instructed city attorneys to craft four ballot measures that would raise property, real estate, parking and sales taxes.

Public employee unions said they will go to court to try to block the Contra Costa County retirement system board from implementing anti-spiking provisions

Alaska voters will decide on a $453 million transportation bond next week.

The MSRB plans to study the idea of restricting, or possibly banning, contributions to bond-ballot campaigns by muni bond dealers.

Compton, Calif. will place a TRAN with an unnamed lender as a way around the issues that have prevented the city from getting the short-term debt it needs to make its late CalPERS payments.

Because of Hurricane Sandy, Maui County, Hawaii, postponed the competitive sale of $70.1 million in general obligation bonds to Thursday at 1 p.m.

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary L. Schapiro today issued a statement saying she is pleased that the nation’s securities markets were able to open Wednesday despite the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board plans to propose regulations that would require dealers to disclose more information about contributions to bond-ballot campaigns.