Far West

A federal judge rejected a request by the U.S. Justice Department to use sections of certain audio files as evidence in the upcoming bid-rigging trial against former UBS Financial Services bankers Peter Ghavami, Gary Heinz and Michael Welty.

WASHINGTON — Sentencing has been delayed until Oct. 25 for Adrian Scott-Jones, a former guaranteed investment contract broker who pleaded guilty in 2010 to charges of fraud and conspiracy in connection with alleged bid-rigging.

Moody's Investors Service downgraded $1.75 billion of San Jose Redevelopment Agency bonds to junk after the city of San Jose said a default was possible because of a conflict over tax revenue with Santa Clara County.

WASHINGTON — Congress will likely pass a separate bill to extend expired and expiring tax law provisions, some of which are bond-related, before the end of the year, the chairman of a House Ways and Means panel told reporters after a hearing Friday.

WASHINGTON — The Council of Development Finance Agencies will unveil a draft legislative proposal Friday that would ease tax-law restrictions for small industrial development bonds, which are used to finance manufacturing facilities.

According to California state law, lawmakers only have a week left to wrestle a budget over to the governor's desk, and they just started tackling the beast.

WASHINGTON — Overall, state income and sales tax collections for the first quarter increased by 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year, the Rockefeller Institute of Government said in a report Thursday.

Moody’s Investors Service said the upcoming redemption of Idaho housing bonds is a positive for investors.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency announced the appointment Wednesday of Vince Harris as director of capital programs and construction.

Fitch Ratings downgraded $93 million of bonds issued on behalf of Aspire Public Schools to junk because of a lawsuit that could end the charters for half of its schools.