Southwest

The Carlsbad, N.M., Municipal School District will ask voters to approve $60 million of bonds in a February election.

Budget weakness brings a Standard & Poor's downgrade to Sedgwick, Kan.'s, general obligation rating to BBB-plus from A-minus.

Phil Wilson, executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation and former aide to Gov. Rick Perry, will become general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority Feb. 1.

Moody's Investors Service lowered the outlook on its Baa1 rating for Galveston Wharves to negative, citing reduced cargo and passenger volumes.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court overturned state legislation that cut the state's personal income tax and provided $120 million for repairs to the Capitol.

Laredo Independent School District will refund lease-revenue bonds with long-term debt that does not carry the state's Permanent School Fund guarantee.

Arizona counties are organizing a 2014 effort to restore local highway and road funds lost during the budget crises of the past five years.

Moody's Investors Service on Monday upgraded the sales-tax-supported debt of Corpus Christi, Texas, to A1 from A2, citing an increase in pledged revenues.

Arkansas' year-to-date revenues through November are running 3.5% above last year's levels, according to the state Department of Finance and Administration.

As 2013 nears its end, Oklahoma's 7.3% increase in gross tax collections last month point toward steady growth in the state's economy, according to State Treasurer Ken Miller.