Southwest

Voters across Texas will consider passing more than $4.75 billion of bond proposals on ballots May 9.

Former Maverick County Commissioner Cesar Flores has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a bribery and bid-rigging scheme involving state highway funds. Fourteen others have been convicted.

Texas Tech University System earned an upgrade from Moody's Investors Service and prospects for another from Standard & Poor's based on its growing financial resources, strong brand recognition and enrollment increases across its four campuses.

In a marathon session that lasted all night Friday and well into Saturday morning, the Arizona Legislature passed a $9.1 billion budget that even some supporters said they regretted.

A bill authorizing issuance of $1 billion of pension bonds is beginning its journey through the Kansas House after winning state Senate approval. The bill is part of Gov. Sam Brownback's plan to patch a $600 million budget deficit.

Bondholders have authorized an $8 million increase in debt for a Glendale, Ariz., project designed to convert trash into energy. A dispute with the city has stymied the operation, leading to a five-notch downgrade from Standard & Poor's.

A bill that dedicates about $2.5 billion from vehicle sales taxes to non-toll highway projects is the first to win state Senate approval in the 2015 Texas Legislature.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Republican legislative leaders have reached agreement on a $9.1 billion budget that cuts higher education spending by 14% and delays plans to build a private prison.

Arkansas's February revenues ran 3% higher than the same month in 2014 and 7% above the budget forecast, according to state officials.

Kansas surpassed its revenue forecast for February by $22 million, bolstering Gov. Sam Brownback's position that tax cuts are leading to economic growth.