Far West

Local fisherman in Fairbanks don't have as many fish stories as they expected, because of problems with a bond-funded hatchery.

WASHINGTON - Market participants and industry groups forged a tentative consensus around pension-disclosure guidance floated last month by the National Association of Bond Lawyers, with analysts and issuers overcoming initial reluctance to embrace the plan.

WASHINGTON - The Securities and Exchange Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to propose new rules governing transactions between swap dealers and customers, including state and local governments.

SAN FRANCISCO - California lawmakers on Tuesday prepared to pass a budget with the governor's blessing, one that appears to avoid major structural changes but relies instead on a rosy revenue outlook.

SAN FRANCISCO - Moody's Investors Service downgraded Stockton, Calif., two notches Tuesday to A3 from A1 because of its ongoing financial problems.

The Crystal City, Tex., Public Facilities Corp. has received an adverse tax determination notice from the Internal Revenue Service for $14 million of bonds issued in 2003 for a prison.

Former New York Lieut. Gov. Richard Ravitch and former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker are forming a task force to analyze states' budgets with the goal of helping governments put in place stronger, long-term budget practices.

WASHINGTON — Broker-dealers criticized a proposed Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board rule, saying it would subject them to tougher rules than those that apply to municipal advisers who practice on their own or in independent firms.

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco International Airport will sell $323 million of debt this week to refund outstanding revenue bonds in a revival of a deal it had shelved last year.

Congressional Democrats on Friday called for limits on tax deductions as a way to reduce the deficit and also pushed for the Build America Bond program to be reinstated.