Southwest

Texas state sales tax collections in November totaled $2.07 billion, up 12.2% from November 2010, and the 20th consecutive month of increased revenues.

Irving will make an unofficial commitment this week of $170 million of revenue bonds to help pay for a proposed entertainment complex despite warnings that the new debt could affect the Dallas suburb’s bond rating.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation got the go-ahead last week from the Council of Bond Oversight for a $71 million debt issue to finance four highway projects.

Kansas state Sen. Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedgwick, said she will recommend an early end to most of a 1% hike in the sales tax approved in 2010.

The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System is unlikely to eliminate its $4.4 billion of unfunded liabilities over the next 30 years at the current return from the system’s investments, according to actuaries

Trustees of Central Arkansas Water last week approved an $18.2 million revenue bond issue that is expected to go to market in early January.

With trading active on much of bankrupt American Airlines' $3.2 billion of special facilities revenue bonds, some market participants are sounding a cautionary tone in assessing their value, as bargain hunters eye the airline's discounted bonds secured by collateral.

Amid fears of rolling blackouts in Texas next summer, new municipal debt for electric power generation in the state has fallen sharply because of financing constraints and environmental litigation.

The Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority will receive $900 million in federal grants under agreements signed last week by Peter Rogoff, director of the Federal Transit Administration, and Houston Mayor Annise Parker.

The upward trend of Oklahoma’s economy should continue into the holiday season, Treasurer Ken Miller said last week at the release of the monthly tax receipts report.