Washington

"We supported the approved rule change and are extremely disappointed that the MSRB is now proposing to halt the progress it had been making toward full and complete transparency in the municipal securities market," Dimensional Fund Advisors officials said in a letter.

Isaak Bond Investments has agreed to pay a $20,000 fine to settle allegations brought by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

"If you are seeking the services of a municipal advisor, it would be helpful to use the term municipal advisor in your RFP/Qs," said Sanchez, director of the SEC's Office of Municipal Securities.

"I think your first question to them should be 'Are you from the future?,'" the deputy director of the SEC's Office of Municipal Securities said.

Damages awarded to the developer are several times tiny Cle Elum's $5 million general fund budget for 2025.

Washington and Oregon are still nailing down the final cost and toll rates for the long-planned replacement for the aging spans carrying I-5 across the river.

An economic slowdown partially fueled by tariff turmoil has forced West Coast states to lower revenue projections and slash budgets.

Washington lawmakers delivered a balanced budget after tweaking program cuts and tax increase plans multiple times.

Both states' governors said they will appeal the FEMA denials, which comes amid concern the Trump adminstration is hobbling the emergency response agency.

Districts most vulnerable to cuts in federal programs are those already struggling from enrollment declines and other challenges.

Lawmakers have until late this month to decide on a mix of cuts and taxes acceptable to the governor to close a $16 billion shortfall over the next two budgets.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson told lawmakers approving an unsustainable budget would put bond ratings at risk.

Washington's latest official state revenue forecast lopped almost $900 million from projected collections over the next four years.

Issuance in the Far West was up 30.8% year-over-year to $98.9 billion. Muni market observers say issuers tried to beat the uncertainties of the election.

The change, which marked a move away from recent norms, was made since President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20, the people told Reuters.

The muni market saw $507.585 billion of debt issued in 2024, up 31.8% from $385.061 in 2023. This surpasses the previous record of $484.601 billion in 2020 by more than $20 billion, per LSEG data.

In Jim McIntire's two terms as state treasurer, he sought to broaden the retail reach of state bond sales and advocated a lower state debt limit.

Issuers in five Far West states increased their borrowing the first half of the year, while four saw sizable decreases.

In the first half of 2024, winding-down federal aid, a resurgence of Build America Bond refundings and election uncertainty have contributed to the surge in issuance, said James Welch, a portfolio manager at Principal Asset Management.

Demand for the increased supply has been "solid" if nearly largely reliant on income-oriented small lot buyers, noted Municipal Market Analytics, Inc. Partner Matt Fabian. Through last week, buyers continued to be separately managed account/retail in size.