Southwest

The North Texas Tollway Authority approved refunding up to $150 million of toll revenue bonds.

Pecos City, Texas has discovered federal tax law issues relating to the tax-exempt status of $5.6 million of certificates of participation it issued in 2011 and plans to enter into a voluntary closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service.

Austin Energy should shed its investment in a bond-financed coal plant jointly owned with the Lower Colorado River Authority and replace it with a natural-gas-fired plant, according to a report on the utility's options.

Arkansas Treasurer Martha Shoffner said she did not know the reasons behind premature bond sales from state's investment portfolio that lost almost $900,000 over the past two years.

The University of Colorado Hospital Authority will issue $290 million of bonds this week to add Memorial Health System of Colorado Springs to its new statewide network in a deal nearly sidelined by a lawsuit over pension programs.

The Texas Education Agency last week notified a record 374 local school districts with high property valuations that they must share tax revenues with poorer districts.

A recent poll of Houston voters found majorities in support of all three major general obligation bond issues on the November ballot.

Texas sales tax collections in August totaled $2.34 billion, an increase of 18.5% from August 2011 revenues, Comptroller Susan Combs said.

Arkansas will pay a true interest cost of 1.62% on $225 million of grant anticipation revenue vehicle bonds priced won by JPMorgan in a competitive sale.

The University of Arkansas will use pledged athletic department revenue, largely from the football program, to support $18 million of bonds for a new academic building.