Far West

WASHINGTON — Independent financial advisers are warning the Securities and Exchange Commission that the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s proposed changes to Rule G-23 contain loopholes that would allow dealer-financial advisers to switch roles and become underwriters in the same muni transactions.

LOS ANGELES — California’s Sierra Kings Healthcare District is nearing a deal that could lead to its exit from Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Many California redevelopment agencies are facing major credit challenges that have nothing to do with the governor’s plan to eliminate them, Fitch Ratings said in a special report released Monday.

LOS ANGELES — The Southern California city of Costa Mesa has sent pink slips to around half of its workers as it weighs outsourcing a range of services to corral spending.

WASHINGTON — Two District of Columbia universities are tapping the bond markets this week in separate tax-exempt and taxable transactions totaling $145 million.

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit District in California remains on track to debut in the bond market this spring, but the limits of the sales tax it relies on for funding will limit the scope of the rail transit line it plans to build, its board of directors learned here last week at a workshop.

WASHINGTON — Securities and Exchange Commission officials are urging market participants to provide their views about the muni industry and how it can be improved, after the SEC was forced by budget cuts to suspend a series of field hearings that were to be held around the country.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The California Legislature adopted a budget bill for fiscal 2012 last week, though the toughest decisions required by that plan were deferred until this week.

SAN FRANCISCO — Oregon will march to market next week with its largest sale so far this year, a deal that is part of a broader buttoned-downed strategy.

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted 87 to 13 Thursday to approve a continuing resolution that would keep the federal government funded through April 8, while Democrats and Republicans try to negotiate funding for rest of the fiscal year.