Oregon

Far West issuers sold $83.6 billion of municipal bonds in 2015, a 26.5% increase over the prior year, as refundings continued to drive volume.

Keith Larson, who has served on the Oregon Investment Council for almost decade, has wrapped up his council career after being term-limited Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler announced Wednesday.

The Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund (OPERF) earned returns of 2.1% in 2015,and ended the year with a balance of $68.7 billion.

Voters in Portland, Ore., will decide May 17 on the city's proposed four-year, 10 cent per gallon gasoline tax.

Oregon's Municipal Debt Advisory Commission Task Force will gather information about new categories of debt incurred by local governments, including bank loans and lines of credit.

Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler has called for an immediate halt to a general obligation bond-financed energy loan program that is running in the red.

Market participants expect a slower year for Oregon public finance, though some sectors could pick up and major policy questions about corporate and property taxes could see discussion.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown will seek public input in a series of meetings beginning next month on the preliminary findings of a policy group exploring the state's transportation needs.

The Oregon Investment Council is shifting the state's investment strategy to include more infrastructure and renewable energy investments and to reduce its exposure to stock market volatility

Oregon's latest two-year state general fund revenue projection is up slightly from earlier this year, though state leaders remain guarded about how stable its economic gains really are.