Southwest

Utah Transit Authority is pricing the largest deal in its history with $831.6 million of bonds designed to smooth debt service through the end of this decade.

The San Antonio Water System will lower its debt by $46.9 million through a $303 million deal that combined new money and refunding.

Moody's Investors Service raised the Harris County Houston Sports Authority's subordinate debt to investment grade after settlement of a lawsuit with its bond insurer and financial restructuring.

The Texas Department of Transportation saved $380 million in net present value, or 21% of its refunded debt, through a $1.68 billion toll bond issue, officials said.

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.