Alaska

Primary market volume in California and the Far West region rose in the first half even as the national figure was down.

S&P dropped Alaska to AA amid dwindling budget reserves.

Alaska, unable to agree on budget stability, is blowing through its reserves.

Alaska lawmakers passed a budget to avoid a government shutdown, without tackling underlying problems.

Most Alaska bonds will still be paid in the event of a government shutdown, its debt manager said.

S&P Global Ratings has placed its AA-plus general obligation (GO) rating, AA appropriation rating, and A-plus moral obligation rating on the state of Alaska's debt on CreditWatch with negative implications.

Alaska's government is bracing for a government shutdown amid difficult budget negotiations.

Alaska is fast approaching the point where it needs to resolve its massive budget deficit.

With its income-tax proposal stalled, the Alaska House majority is now moving its oil-tax bill instead, unveiling a new version of the legislation Friday that limits cash subsidies for companies and makes substantial changes to tax rates and credits.

Far West issuers sold $90.7 billion of municipal bonds in 2016, a 8.5% increase over the prior year.