Far West

The California Assembly approved a bill on Monday aimed at expediting Los Angeles County transportation projects.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is adding parking to his efforts to create a legacy impact on transportation.

The California Legislative Analyst’s Office has said it makes sense for Gov. Jerry Brown to use $411 million for the budget from the state’s share of a nationwide settlement with five major banks over illegal foreclosures.

WASHINGTON — Lawrence Sandor has been named the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board's deputy general counsel for regulatory support.

Four groups representing localities are forming an advisory council as part of the Streamlined Sales Tax agreement to focus on local tax issues and to push for Congress to approve online sales-tax legislation.

WASHINGTON — States slowed their borrowing dramatically, with a growth of only 2.5% in 2011, despite low interest rates, according to a new Moody’s Investors Service report.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power heads to market Wednesday to refund $276.8 million of water bonds.

WASHINGTON — Donald Borut announced Tuesday that he will retire as executive director of the National League of Cities at the end of 2012, after 22 years.

WASHINGTON — Two top experts and staff officials at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials plan to retire on Feb. 1 next year.

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is urging lawmakers to include in a final highway bill temporary relief from the alternative minimum tax for private-activity bonds and provisions that keep TIFIA loans from being subordinated to other debt in municipal bankruptcies.