Southwest

DALLAS - Dwight D. Burns, former executive director of the Texas Public Finance Authority, has joined TKG & Associates LLC as a principal at the firm's Dallas office.

DALLAS - Proponents of a plan to finance capital improvements in Little Rock with a sales tax increase began a campaign Tuesday to gain public approval for Mayor Mark Stodola's proposal.

DALLAS - Fitch Ratings has downgraded $12.6 million of certificates of participation issued in 2009 for Tucson's downtown Rio Nuevo Multipurpose Facilities District while affirming the city’s general obligation debt at AA-minus.

DALLAS - The South Texas town of Donna has become a growing crossroad for international business since the opening of the Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge over the Rio Grande last December.

DALLAS - A majority of the East Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council backs a plan to study the parish's law enforcement needs and seek voter approval if a tax hike is needed to finance improvements.

DALLAS - With more than $1 billion of road and rail projects in the works, the Dallas suburb of Irving is pressing ahead with the nation’s largest transit-oriented development despite economic challenges.

A group of Austin business executives and lawyers have formally asked the state for $25 million of funds each year over the next 10 years to cover costs associated with a series of Formula 1 auto races at a track under construction in southeast Travis County.

Higher contribution rates from employees and the state as a result of legislation that was passed earlier this year should reduce the unfunded liability of Kansas’ largest pension fund by $3.5 billion through 2033.

Revenue collections in July totaled $437.5 million, up 16% from July 2010, the Kansas Department of Revenue said last week. Collections topped expectations by $23.3 million.

A group of Little Rock residents have formed a political action committee, dubbed $500 Million Tax - Too Much, to oppose Mayor Mark Stodola’s proposal to raise the city’s sales tax rate by 1% to fund capital projects.