California

Speakers at The Bond Buyer's California Public Finance conference suggested tax reforms to stabilize the revenue volatility seen as contributing to the state's single-A ratings.

Fitch Ratings downgraded Cerritos Community College District from AA-plus to AA with a stable outlook impacting $57.5 million in bonds.

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that establishes parameters for school and community college bond capital appreciation bond issuances.

California is planning to sell $2 billion of new money and refunding general obligation bonds this month, according to the state treasurer's office.

California's debt service payments this year are a smaller percentage of general fund revenues than previously estimated, according to a report from State Treasurer Bill Lockyer.

Conference speakers discounted the idea that the factors that drove several cities across the country into Chapter 9 bankruptcy are an aberration.

The bankrupt city of Stockton, Calif. said it would continue making CalPERS payments in a draft of its proposed plan of adjustment, which the city council will take up on Thursday.

Municipal finance industry professionals discussed the importance and process of continuing disclosure practices during The Bond Buyer's California Public Finance Conference.

Leaders from three municipal bond insurers discuss the future of the insurance industry at The Bond Buyer's California Public Finance Conference.

Brownstone Investment Group, a New York-based fixed-income investment firm with a municipal bond department, opened an office in San Francisco to expand its presence to the West Coast.

The California State Public Works Board is planning to sell $473 million of lease revenue bonds next week to finance construction and improvements at various state correction facilities and universities.

California Treasurer Bill Lockyer spoke about the state's future debt financing plans at The Bond Buyer's California Public Finance Conference on Wednesday.

Issuing municipal bonds is a complex process fraught with potential conflicts, Chris Mier, managing director of the analytical services division for Loop Capital Markets, told bond issuers here Wednesday.

Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Peter Luchetti to the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank board of directors.

California received a 30-day extension to reduce prison overcrowding in a ruling Tuesday from three federal judges.

California will try to revive residential Property Assessed Clean Energy by setting up a reserve fund that would reimburse Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for any losses incurred from PACE liens.

Bel Air Investment Advisors, LLC has hired two municipal finance veterans to join its fixed income team in Los Angeles.

In a report, Fitch Ratings said California's school districts are still financially vulnerable, despite some recent improvements in state funding.

The Southern California Logistics Airport Authority in Victorville notified bondholders that it defaulted on its bonds on June 4, 2013 by missing a $1.2 million payment.