Far West

SAN FRANCISCO - California Gov. Jerry Brown unveiled a pension reform plan Thursday that would affect both current and new workers in state and local government in an effort to control rising costs.

WASHINGTON - Bond lawyers want Congress and the Treasury Department to allow muni issuers to current refund certain tax-advantaged bonds, even after they can no longer issue the bonds under existing tax law.

LOS ANGELES - Afraid of jeopardizing its tax-exempt bond status, the California Housing Finance Agency has been foreclosing on homeowners who are renting out homes financed by the agency - even if they are current on their mortgages, according to a report by the state Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes.

A new poll shows that a statewide ballot initiative to limit highway tolls in Washington has lost traction with voters, according to the Seattle Times.

Fitch Ratings downgraded more than $370 million of debt issued for Eisenhower Medical Center to BBB from A-minus.

San Diego-based Rady Children’s Hospital received an A-plus from Fitch Ratings on $150 million of bonds to be sold through negotiation the week of Nov. 7.

San Jose is weighing a parcel tax to help cover a $1 billion bill to upgrade streets over the next decade, according to a published report.

Montebello will move ahead on a note issue despite claims earlier this month that an ill-timed release of a report from the California controller’s office jeopardized its efforts to sell short-term notes.

The Anchorage Assembly voted Tuesday to limit to 1% a property tax hike to support its school district in the next budget.

WASHINGTON - Local government officials gathered here Wednesday and Thursday to seek support from administration officials, lawmakers, and their staff for tax-exempt financing.