Far West

California’s consumer confidence index increased 2.7% to 92.3 in the second quarter of the year, the highest confidence level since 2007, according to the Chapman University’s Anderson Center for Economic Research.

It was the last spending plan for termed-out Mayor Jerry Sanders, and his administration was not reticent about proclaiming its virtues, issuing a press release declaring it to be “the city’s first structurally balanced in budget in decades.”

The California State Association of Counties has slammed part of a Democratic budget plan in which the state would use $250 million of “pass-through” payments out of property tax increment that had been allotted to counties from the now closed redevelopment agencies.

Fitch Ratings said in a report this week that the credit quality of California’s water agencies is expected to remain strong amid challenges.

Alaska Railroad’s bonds appear to be safe despite uncertainty surrounding federal grants that back them, according to reports.

SAN FRANCISCO - Moody's Investors Service downgraded all California tax-allocation bonds to junk status Thursday.

Executives from Fitch Ratings responded to issuer concerns, saying their agency does not require municipal bond issuers to sign indemnity agreements releasing Fitch from liabilities resulting from ratings.

WASHINGTON — The push for Congress to pass long-term highway funding legislation is reaching a fever pitch two weeks before the current law expires, as Sen. Barbara Boxer led a rally Wednesday urging approval of her two-year transportation bill in time to avoid another extension.

As GASB prepares to vote on new standards for public pension fund accounting that would shed light on unfunded liabilities, a recently formed state and local task force is developing guidance to keep governments focused on their annual required contributions.

States' fiscal conditions are improving and, despite ongoing uncertainties, many of them can be expected to maintain good credit ratings and to try to lock in low interest rates with additional bond financings, officials of two groups said Tuesday.