Far West

WASHINGTON — Despite recent headlines warning that deteriorating state and local finances will lead to bond defaults, a Treasury Department advisory committee has determined the municipal market “appears to be in reasonably good condition.”

WASHINGTON — The Senate yesterday voted 61 to 39 to approve a $26 billion measure that would extend but phase out increased federal Medicaid payments to states through June 30 and give $10 billion to local school districts to prevent layoffs.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Officials in Beverly Hills, Calif., were concerned about the city’s growing liability for the future health care costs of its current employees.

WASHINGTON — Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., has asked the Treasury Department for clarification of a tax law provision pertaining to qualified energy conservation bonds that she fears may be unintentionally preventing a solar-panel factory project in her district from taking full advantage of all the tax incentives available.

WASHINGTON — A new study released this week by the Government Accountability Office shows that nearly all states have gotten back at least as much money as they contributed to the federal highway trust fund — a revelation that contradicts some lawmakers’ claims that certain states are subsidizing others’ highway and bridge costs under the current system.

WASHINGTON — The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board Wednesday filed ­changes with the Securities and Exchange Commission on a ­controversial proposal that would dictate the priority of retail and other customer orders in primary offerings, as well as dealers’ related record-keeping responsibilities.

The Senate is poised to pass legislation that would extend and phase out enhanced federal Medicaid payments to states for six months through June 30, 2011, as well as provide $10 billion to local school districts to prevent an estimated 140,000 educators from being laid off.

WASHINGTON — Private-activity bond issuance lagged in 2009 for the second year in a row, despite efforts by Congress to make the bonds more attractive, as the recession continued to take a toll on this part of the municipal market, according to an annual survey and market participants.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Former California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission staffer Mark Campbell has returned to take the reins as executive director of the state clearinghouse for debt-issuance information.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders has pulled the plug on one of his pet projects.