Southwest

Faced with a state Supreme Court threat to block distribution of funds to Kansas public schools, Gov. Sam Brownback called a special session of the legislature to provide a funding solution.

Using new criteria, Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings warned that eight federal prisons operated privately for profit could see downgrades or upgrades.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin voiced regret that the newly approved state budget did so little to solve structural imbalances.

A nonprofit group in Austin, Texas, wants a November vote on $397 million of GO bonds for first phase of a light rail line.

Arlington, Texas, may pay off the debt it issued for a pro football stadium to clear the path for subsidizing a pro baseball stadium.

In its first deal with Frost Bank as its financial advisor, San Antonio Independent School District achieved savings of more than 18% on the refunding portion of a $123.7 million issue. The negotiated sale is scheduled to close June 9.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin announced an agreement with legislative leaders that narrows the state’s $1.3 billion budget gap while averting what she called a “worst-case scenario.”

A ballot measure injecting $3.5 billion into Arizona's K-12 education passed by a razor thin margin for a result that S&P Global Ratings said could be a short-term positive for state and school district credits, with a much less certain long-term impact.

Arkansas lawmakers ended a special session Monday with approval of a bill to raise $50 million for highways, allowing the state to receive $200 million in federal funds.

The University of Texas System will issue $215 million of triple-A-rated debt that includes some of the $922 million in tuition revenue bonds authorized by the 2015 Texas Legislature.