Southwest

Economist Arthur Laffer, famous for his Laffer Curve that promises economic growth from low tax rates, told a civic club summit last week that he supports proposals to eliminate Oklahoma’s personal income tax over 10 years.

The Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority is lining up supporters in its quest for a $25 million federal grant to create a hub at Topeka’s airport that would include local and interstate bus operations, a shuttle, and rail service.

Investments held by the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System currently are valued at $967 million after dropping to $919 million as of Sept. 30.

The Central Arkansas Library System plans a March 2012 election to renew an existing bond program that will include a property tax decrease.

DALLAS — Arkansas tax collections are expected to be 3.5% higher in fiscal 2013 than in fiscal 2012, but Gov. Mike Beebe has told state agencies not to expect more money next year.

DALLAS — The Texas Supreme Court determined Monday that the state's main business tax does not violate the constitutional prohibition against enacting a personal income tax without voter consent.

Amid major redevelopment projects at large airports in Texas, aviation bond issuance there is running at the highest level since 2003, according to data from Thomson Reuters.

The Georgetown, Texas, City Council last week turned down a proposal to reduce the size of a planned public safety facility that will be financed with $29.5 million of bonds approved by voters in May.

A voluntary retirement program for Kansas state government workers is expected to save $34.5 million over the next two years, Gov. Sam Brownback said last week.

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan., this year will redeem an extra $27 million of sales tax revenue bonds issued in 2005 to finance construction of a large shopping district.