Southwest

The cost of issuing bonds in 2014 was half the amount of five years ago and appears to be the lowest on record, according to the Texas Bond Review Board.

A Texas bill that would lower the threshold for property tax rollback elections could limit the flexibility of local governments in fast-growing areas of the state, according to Fitch Ratings.

Two Texas senators have added to the anti-toll legislation in the 2015 legislative session, filing bills to limit the use of public-private partnerships to non-toll projects and other legislation.

Moody's Investors Service has raised its outlook to stable from negative on the University of Arizona as it prepares a $228 million debt issue at the end of the month.

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.