Southwest

After a battle over how to expand Medicaid coverage in the state, Arkansas lawmakers have approved a $5 billion budget.

Texas sales tax revenues rose 5.8% in February to $2.2 billion, the 47th consecutive month of increase.

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez signed the state's $6.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2015 into law along with an $89 million capital outlay bill.

Arizona's police and firefighters pension fund has been ordered to submit documents as part of a criminal investigation, according to the Arizona Republic.

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the Regional Transportation District of Colorado's debt, maintaining a negative outlook on RTD’s certificates of participation.

Electric sales have fallen in recent years, forcing utilities to deal with new realities.

The Kansas Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that the state's funding for public schools violates the state constitution.

Standard & Poor's lowered Glendale, Ariz.'s, general obligation bond rating to BBB-plus from A-minus based on the agency's new criteria and retained a negative outlook.

Colorado approves a $490 million public-private partnership to redevelop U.S. 36, but a Boulder group renews its threat of a lawsuit.

The Houston suburb of Sugar Land is considering a convention center to accompany its planned $83 million entertainment center.