Southwest

Standard & Poor's anticipates overall stability for the majority of its rated local governments in Texas despite a dramatic oil price drop reminiscent of the 1980s.

The Kansas Department of Transportation will delay $300 million of highway maintenance under Gov. Sam Brownback's plan to reduce a state budget deficit.

Years of underfunding pose a rising threat to state and local pensions in Texas, according to a report from Moody's Investors Service.

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez urged lawmakers to set aside $180 million for highway bond projects over the next three years while cutting business taxes and boosting spending on education.

The San Antonio Water System is combining new money bonds for its growing system with refunding in a $291 million issue.

Former Norton Rose Fulbright partner Marcus W. Deitz has joined the public finance practice at McGuire Woods in Houston.

In an attempt to solve legal challenges to the Texas school finance formula, House Public Education Committee Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock has introduced a bill that would create 30 school finance districts across the state.

In a state with the nation's highest incarceration rate, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin is calling on the state legislature to reduce the number of inmates through drug treatment and mental health programs.

Newly inaugurated Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who sued President Obama 31 times as attorney general, promised to continue fighting the federal government in his first speech as chief executive of the Lone Star State.

A report used to set local tax rates shows that Colorado property values rose 14.3% in two years. Lawmakers must return a portion of the rising revenues to taxpayers under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.