California

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.

A plan to use eminent domain to help homeowners with underwater mortgages is a credit negative for Richmond, Calif., according to Moody's Investors Service.

Fitch Ratings Agency placed the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency on Rating Watch Negative, affecting $2.3 billion in debt.

A bond restructuring by Southern California Public Power Authority on roughly $320 million in natural gas prepay debt resulted in two ratings upgrades.

Supporters of a San Diego Convention Center expansion reaffirmed their support for the plan in an attempt to counteract an alternative plan proposed by the NFL San Diego Chargers.