Southwest

Up to $140 million of transportation projects may be part of Austin's general obligation bond referendum in November, along with an expected $250 million of capital improvement projects.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin last week reiterated her support for a state bond issue to repair the deteriorating Capitol building in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma General Fund revenues in June were below June 2011 totals due to a 42% drop in energy severance tax collections, State Treasurer Ken Miller said.

A constitutional amendment authorizing up to $1.3 billion of state highway construction bonds will be Issue 1 on the Arkansas Nov. 6 ballot.

Work will begin Wednesday on Mesa, Ariz.'s bond-financed baseball spring training facility for the Chicago Cubs.

Scottsdale, Ariz. City Council voted last week to bring back a citizens bond review panel to study proposals that could be included in a 2013 bond referendum.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Monday said he would reject an estimated $62 billion in federal funding to expand Medicaid in the state, citing states' rights.

In a state where drought has threatened to slow growth, Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is proposing a desalination project to supply water for development on state-owned land while raising revenue for the state Permanent School Fund.

Glendale, Ariz., officials have until July 24 to validate 4,100 petition signatures seeking to reverse a city tax increase expected to produce $23 million per year.

Better-than-expected collection levels pushed Arkansas general fund revenues to a record $4.75 billion in the recently completed fiscal 2012, with $510 million in June marking the highest monthly collection ever.