Southwest

DALLAS — A steeper-than-expected decline in Kansas state tax collections could require quick budget cuts totaling $460 million to balance the books for fiscal 2010, with more in store in fiscal 2011.

DALLAS — Local governments in Texas are keeping their belts tight as sales tax revenue continues to fall sharply.

Scott Meacham, who has been Oklahoma’s treasurer since 2005, said last week he would not seek re-election or any other statewide office in 2010.

Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson said last week the state would not expand its offer of $144.5 million of sales tax bonds and $85 million of tax incentives and credits to help finance a large office campus and soccer stadium in ­Wyandotte County.

Arkansas’ revenue in October was $313.5 million, almost $18 million less than expected and $39 million less than collected in October 2008, according to the latest monthly revenue report from the Department of Finance and Administration.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said last week that any new source of revenue to stem the state’s estimated $2 billion budget deficit in fiscal 2010 must be quick, simple, and effective.

Arizona collected taxes totaling $1.8 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 but spent $2.8 billion over the same period, according to the latest monthly revenue report from the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

DALLAS — A decade after Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opened for business, it is keeping the light on for a super low-fare carrier that might want to use its no-frills South Terminal.

DALLAS — Voters across the Southwest approved nearly $4 billion of bond proposals in lightly attended off-year elections Tuesday.

DALLAS — For the second time in four months, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is preparing to call a special session of the Legislature to deal with a budget deficit that has grown to $1.75 billion.