California

The University of California would issue $400 million of bonds as part of a proposed $1.1 billion public-private partnership to expand the campus of UC Merced, according to a report issued the state Legislative Analyst’s Office Wednesday.

California should rethink its reliance on bond debt to fund infrastructure, according to California Treasurer John Chiang.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has promoted two public finance attorneys to partner.

Stacy Lewis Daher has been reappointed to the California Educational Facilities Authority, the body responsible for approving conduit bond issues for universities.

A California redevelopment successor agency achieved 25% savings on a $33.7 million tax allocation bond refunding.

The holders of $50 million in pension obligation bonds have reached a tentative agreement with San Bernardino in its Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

California water and sewer ratings remain stable despite the challenges presented by the ongoing drought, Fitch Ratings said.

The Port of Oakland has lost its second-largest terminal operator, a blow that Fitch Ratings said should be manageable.

Backers of a California initiative that would require referendums for state revenue bonds defend measure.

Recent opinions issued by the California attorney general’s office may have some municipal advisors and broker-dealers treading carefully to avoid breaking Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board rules.

Municipal Market Analytics expects that more California water utilities could experience bond covenant violations as they adjust to lowered revenues from conservation efforts.

A Moody's Investors Service report evaluates the risks and benefits of public and private financing amid a surge in new U.S. stadiums targeting professional football and soccer.

California city attorneys who also provide bond counsel services may not be paid based on a percentage of a city's bond issuances, according to a formal opinion from the office of California Attorney General Kamala Harris.

San Diego Chargers owner Dean Spanos said he plans to double-down on efforts to build a stadium in San Diego, though he hasn’t closed the door on a move to Los Angeles.

School and community college districts violate California law if they purposely incentivize municipal finance professionals to advocate for passage of a bond measure, said a formal opinion from Attorney General Kamala Harris.

Capital appreciation bond issuance by California school and community college districts more than tripled to $999 million in 2015 despite legislation to discourage use of the bond structure.

A lawsuit against the new basketball arena project in downtown Sacramento will end up costing the city about $27 million in extra debt service, according to city treasurer Russ Fehr.

California Controller Betty Yee urged public employee unions to negotiate prefunding of retiree healthcare benefits as her office's latest report identified California's OPEB liability at $74.1 billion.

Richard Ravitch, James Spiotto and Lois Scott are among the municipal leaders who've started an advocacy group to help local governments face what it describes as the "uncertain future" of public pension plans.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power may see significant changes under a ballot measure proposal introduced by a city council member.