Southwest

DALLAS — Arkansas will study a proposal to turn the Interstate highway from Little Rock to Memphis into a toll road after the General Assembly failed to repeal a sales tax exemption on large trucks and trailers.

DALLAS — Private developers have pledged $80 million to help finance a $250 million entertainment center adjoining the Irving convention center in Texas, but city officials doubt that the pledge is firm enough to earn a credit rating.

DALLAS — El Paso County, Texas, commissioners Monday approved the development of a five-year capital improvement program to identify and finance needed long-term assets.

DALLAS — Chicago-based Mesirow Financial is opening a Houston public finance office that will be headed by former Citigroup Global Markets executive Anderson Bynam, according to the company.

DALLAS — In an effort to acquire cleaner energy sources, San Antonio is using $521 million of taxable revenue bonds to buy an 800-megawatt natural gas power plant for city-owned CPS Energy.

Trustees of the Tidehaven Independent School District last week voted to put a $50.5 million general obligation bond package to voters May 10.

Property values in Harris County, Texas, are expected to rise 4.54% in 2012 based on preliminary figures from the Harris County Appraisals District.

A measure adopted by the Kansas Legislature last week will allow Junction City to operate with debt levels higher than mandated under state law through 2020.

Blytheville voters approved a 1% sales tax last week that will be dedicated to paying a $3.7 million tax bill from the Internal Revenue Service.

Voters in Pulaski County, Ark., will be asked July 10 to establish a taxing district to provide financing for Pulaski Technical College through a property tax levy.