Far West

WASHINGTON — Proposed extensions to major bond provisions have survived several revisions of pending tax legislation, but municipal market participants are wondering if more controversial, non-bond provisions could scuttle the entire package.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board launched a redesigned website this week with new content and features, better navigation, and a contemporary style that aims to provide improved access to information about MSRB rules, market disclosures, and data collected and disseminated by the board.

WASHINGTON — At least $300 million in funding to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for its 2011 fiscal year budget is at risk over a dispute between Northern Virginia municipalities and Gov. Robert F. McDonnell over his request to appoint half of Virginia's share of the WMATA board of directors.

WASHINGTON — The inclusion of a free, real-time feed of municipal bond ratings on the Electronic Municipal Market Access system has long been a goal of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, which operates the disclosure and transparency portal.

The two Democrats leading the House-Senate conference working to hammer out a single financial regulatory reform bill stressed yesterday that conferees need to wrap up their work by tomorrow to ensure passage of the bill through each chamber next week, before lawmakers break for the July 4 recess.

State and local governments will continue to face trying fiscal conditions next year, characterized by stubbornly high unemployment and slower economic growth, according to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association’s semiannual economic outlook.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — With a new fiscal year looming next Thursday, there is no agreement in sight on a California budget, though the opposing arguments are becoming clearer.

WASHINGTON — State plans for high-speed rail lines are in danger due to a lack of stable funding and underdeveloped federal leadership and guidance, according to a new report by the Government Accountability ­Office.

The Internal Revenue Service has closed an audit of $119.2 million of student loan bonds issued by the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority with no change to the tax-exempt status of the debt.

WASHINGTON — A two-year extension to the Build America Bonds program, as well as extensions to a handful of other bond provisions set to expire at the end of the year, remain in legislative limbo as Senate Democratic leaders this week continue attempts to produce a tax bill that they can pass.