Southwest

Taxes and royalties from the oil and gas industry in Texas are expected to fall in 2015 after hitting a record $15.7 billion in 2014.

In a review of key public finance sectors affected by falling oil prices, Moody's Investors Service analysts see an upside for transportation and those supported by consumer spending.

A Colorado district court struck down the city of Aurora's plan to provide $300 million of subsidies for a Gaylord resort hotel, saying it violated the Taxpayer Bill of Rights amendment to the state constitution.

Standard & Poor's placed Willacy County Local Government Corp. on its watch list for a possible downgrade of its BBB credit after rioting inmates damaged a privately operated prison financed with $78 million of bonds.

A lawmaker from one of Texas' most heavily tolled counties has introduced legislation that would end tolls when bonds are paid off.

Buoyed by a strong fourth-quarter finish, 2014 municipal bond issuance in the Southwest region was 15% higher than 2013 at $64.7 billion, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport remains vulnerable to service reductions after the merger of its major carrier US Airways and American Airlines, according to Standard & Poor's. Otherwise, the outlook on the airport’s AA-minus rating is stable.

A privately operated federal detention center in Raymondville, Texas, financed by $78 million of bonds suffered severe damage as inmates began rioting Feb. 20 and will be vacated, officials said.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is moving ahead with plans to seek private investment in the redevelopment of a 12-mile stretch of Interstate 70 that would be the largest project in CDOT's history.

Sponsors of a privately funded $10 billion high-speed rail project between Houston and Dallas opt for route with fewest landowner issues.