Southwest

Texas lawmakers are considering two bills that would ban capital appreciation bonds with the aim of reducing the risk of deferred interest costs for local governments, particularly school districts in fast-growing areas of the state.

A newly created board would consider whether to move the Utah State Prison from Draper at a potential cost of $600 million under a bill awaiting Gov. Gary Herbert's signature.

Kansas's 10-year, bond-financed highway program will slow to a crawl if lawmakers allow a sales tax to expire and divert transportation funds to other purposes, said Transportation Secretary Mike King.

Texas will exhaust the $17.5 million balance from $25 million of state bonds meant for long-term repairs to its Battleship Texas exhibit simply to keep the 100-year-old vessel from sinking into the mud.

The Arizona School Facilities Board will refund more than a third of its outstanding debt with $315.4 million of taxable revenue bonds in a negotiated deal scheduled to price Tuesday.

February's 10% drop in state revenue is due to volatile income tax collections and not a cause for concern.

Tulsa voters may face two separate elections on a proposed $800 million capital improvement program.

New Mexico lawmakers adopted a 2014 spending plan next week, but Gov. Susana Martinez said she might veto the budget bill.

State senators seek more financial oversight of Kansas Turnpike Authority by merging it into Kansas Department of Transportation.

Phoenix voters approve changes in the city's pension program that could save the city $600 million over 25 years.