Far West

Two professors are proposing that states and localities create a national nonprofit institution that would provide issuers with independent advice on bond financings, help them disclose standardized information, and take other steps to improve liquidity in the muni market.

Oregon's debt commission told the governor and lawmakers that they need to rein in general fund-backed bonding in the next two-year budget cycle.

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber announced Tuesday the creation of a new chief operating officer position that will be filled by Michael Jordan, the COO at Metro, the regional government for the Portland area.

Fitch Ratings has withdrawn its ratings on $125 million of Oregon Bond Bank bonds.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie Monday announced his amended budget proposal for fiscal 2012 and 2013.

Moody's Investors Service has placed the California Housing Finance Agency's home mortgage revenue bonds' A3 unenhanced rating on watch for possible downgrade, which could affect $6.2 billion of outstanding debt.

U.S. mayors descended on Washington this week to combat the budget cuts approved by the House last week that would threaten certain federal programs for local governments, especially the community development block grant program.

WASHINGTON — In an effort to prevent a recurrence of past abuses by broker's brokers, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board has issued a new draft rule that details what they must do to comply with pricing, fair-dealing, and transaction rules.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Collapsing property values and a threatened Nevada funding raid led all three major ratings agencies to take negative actions this week on the Clark County School District.

Governing board members of municipal entities should not be considered municipal advisers who would have to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board and comply with board rules, the MSRB told the SEC Wednesday.