Oklahoma

As summer beckons, it's time for a reporters' roundtable with some of the Bond Buyer's senior staff. Yvette Shields, Karen Pierog, Keeley Webster and Thomas Nocera talk with Chip Barnett about what's hot in their regions and what municipal bond market participants should expect to see in the months ahead. (25 minutes)

The GOP-controlled state legislature adjourned without passing a bill barring government contracts with firms, including banks that underwrite municipal bonds, if they “discriminate” against the firearm industry.

As much as $3 billion of Oklahoma utility debt related to 2021's Winter Storm Uri will begin hitting the market as early as July after winning state court approval.

Elected officials in Republican-dominated states say S&P Global Ratings, by introducing ESG analysis, is politicizing the ratings process or even possibly acting illegally.

The Louisiana House passed a bill to limit firms that "discriminate" against the firearms industry from government business. A similar bill was vetoed last year.

The recent Texas law led the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to drop three underwriters from a recent deal late in the process.

April revenue collections set records in Southwest states as a strong economy and inflation boosted income and sales tax collections, although some officials are urging caution.

The high court validated about $800 million of ratepayer-backed bonds to finance the recovery of fuel costs incurred by Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E) during the February 2021 storm. 

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority received state approval on Wednesday for a $200 million revolving line of credit to jumpstart its $5 billion expansion program, but will not be able to spend a portion of the money unless a lawsuit is resolved in its favor.

Opposition to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s $5 billion, bond-financed improvement and expansion project is heating up with a lawsuit seeking to block it filed ahead of a meeting to consider initial financing.