Southwest

Moody's Investors Service downgraded Dallas' convention center hotel debt one notch to Baa1 but left the city's general obligation rating at A1 after a review period. However, the outlook remains negative due to unresolved pension issues.

A new method of appraising big box retail stores known as "Dark Store Theory" could cost local governments billions of dollars in lost property tax value, according to the Texas Comptroller's office.

Texas Central Rail has dropped eminent domain lawsuits due to “positive dialogue” with many landowners.

With a strong, fourth-quarter kick, bond volume in the Southwest set a second consecutive record at $83.4 billion, surpassing the 2015 total by 7.2%, according to data from Thomson Reuters.

The economy of Texas would take a severe hit if the Trump administration erects trade barriers with Mexico, local and state officials told the Texas Public Finance Conference.

In a year that promises dramatic changes, government officials and leaders in municipal finance will consider how to adjust to new policies and a new president at The Bond Buyer’s Texas Public Finance Conference.

In a far-reaching state-of-the-state address, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin called for a $350 million bond program to finance infrastructure, a fuel-tax increase to build roads, raises for teachers and elimination of the state income tax.

New Mexico Gov. Susan Martinez's signature on Senate Bill 114 is a negative credit factor for the state's schools, according to Moody's Investors Service. The bill reduces state aid by 2%.

In a critical year for the Texas health-care industry, the state's leaders have indicated no interest in tapping the state's growing rainy day fund to cover $1.2 billion in Medicaid underfunding.

Bonds used to finance Houston’s sports facilities will get a lift from the Super Bowl, which Moody’s Investors Service expects to bring an additional $1 million in hotel occupancy tax revenue that supports the debt.