Far West

WASHINGTON — Amid widespread concern about the viability of public sector pension plans, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board is weighing whether it should help issuers disclose more about their pension plans and liabilities.

As part of an ongoing initiative to examine developer-driven deals, the Internal Revenue Service is auditing $48.47 million of defaulted bonds issued by the Stoneybrook South Community Development District in Florida in 2007 for infrastructure improvements.

SAN FRANCISCO — Victorville is in the hot seat.The city in Southern California’s high desert is facing a Securities and Exchange Commission probe into bond sales, a grand jury investigation into its finances, and inquiries from neighboring communities about its curious bond-financing practices.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Most Californians agree with Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan to hold a special election soon to decide if temporary state tax increases should be extended, according to a poll released this week.

WASHINGTON — Though President Obama called for more investment in infrastructure and high-speed rail as well as an end to tax cuts for the wealthy, there was little that was new or politically doable in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night, municipal market participants and analysts said.

SAN FRANCISCO — Vallejo, Calif., has reached a tentative agreement with Union Bank that pays the bankrupt city’s largest creditor roughly 60 cents on the dollar.

WASHINGTON — Muni advisory issues will continue to dominate the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board at its packed three-day meeting Wednesday through Friday in San Diego.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — The primary lobbying group for municipal underwriters in California is under investigation by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act faces a “serious threat” and “potential undoing” ­under Republican-proposed spending cuts, House Democrats warned Tuesday.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — California may be in a tough budget position, but it’s not facing an imminent cash crisis, state financial officials said.