Oregon

Much of the Oregon Health & Science University deal funds a hospital expansion, but it also includes a tender exchange and a privately placed forward refunding.

New money volume in the Far West was up 31.9% to $29.5 billion, while refunding volume rose a more modest 11%.

The question looms as to what point heightened wildfire activity becomes a significant risk for municipal debt.

The bulk of $743 billion in improvements needed to alleviate climate risk and aging infrastructure would be borne by the utilities, a rating agency says.

Alpha Ledger Technologies, which had already done so in its home state of Washington, helped its first Oregon issuer record a municipal loan on a blockchain platform.

Fire scorched two million acres across both states, but muni credits remained relatively unscathed.

A repricing of Illinois GOs saw the bonds bumped by 12 to 20 basis points from Tuesday's preliminary pricing wires and 17 to 25 basis points from Monday's price talk.

Lawmakers received word of the improved forecast just before the release in early March of the first-draft proposal for the state’s two-year budget.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown championed aspects of her proposed budget that would move the needle on racial and income equality in the state.

The Legislature approved $800 million for the state's emergency fund.

As wildfires become more frequent and intense the reliability of state governments and FEMA to support affected local governments may change.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order directs regulators to put rules in place to end the sale of gas- and diesel-powered passenger vehicles in 2035.

Matthew Garrett will develop a strategic recovery plan designed to consider the needs of all impacted Oregon communities.

Talent, Oregon, was in the path of destruction created by the Almeda Fire in a 13-mile corridor between Ashland and Medford.

The towns of Phoenix and Talent have been decimated, losing 2,350 homes.

The governors in Oregon and California point out that climate change has exacerbated the conditions that start and accelerate wildfires.

Municipal issuers in the Far West sold $38.7 billion in bonds during the first six months of 2020, 8.8% more than they did the year before.

State lawmakers closed a $1.2 billion budget hole during a 15-hour special session, but they may need to return in the absence of federal coronavirus aid.

Brown convened the special session for budget talks, but also anticipated talk on policy items, like police reform.

A COVID-19-driven decline in lottery revenue led Oregon postpone a $302 million bond sale because the deal wouldn't meet an additional bonds test.