Far West

Moody's Investors Service Placed 17 California county credits and four special districts on review for downgrade.

The board of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority voted Wednesday to increase rates on the Dulles Toll Road, calling it necessary to finance part of the mostly bond-funded and highly controversial Silver Line rail extension to Dulles International Airport.

The Los Angeles City Council voted in favor of placing a half-cent sales tax on the March ballot to help the city combat its financial woes.

The small Mendocino Coast Health Care District in Northern California has filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection.

The District of Columbia achieved its lowest 25-year interest rate ever, surpassing even rates seen with federally subsidized Build America Bonds, when it sold its income tax-secured revenue bonds this week, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer announced Tuesday.

Frederick "Bud" Wright is expected to become the new executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officers early next year, sources said Tuesday.

The Los Angeles City Council will vote today on whether to put four separate tax measures on the March ballot.

The IRS has told the city of Bell, Calif., that $35 million of general obligation bonds it issued in 2007 may not be tax-exempt because the agency believes the bond issue is a hedge bond.

Hurricane Sandy may demonstrate to lawmakers the importance of tax-exempt financing and promote opposition to proposals that threaten munis’ tax exemption.