Karen is a senior reporter covering the Southwest. She has covered the municipal bond market for more than 30 years at The Bond Buyer and Reuters. Prior to that she wrote about futures and options markets for magazines and was an award-winning reporter for a suburban Chicago newspaper chain.
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Houston has built up a $344.8 million general fund balance and reduced its unfunded pension liability to about $1.5 billion ahead of a possible economic slump.
By Karen PierogSeptember 29 -
The Utah Inland Port Authority, which sold $150 million of bonds in December, asked the audit team to provide direction on potential risks.
By Karen PierogSeptember 22 -
S&P upgraded the bonds to AA-plus and Fitch revised the outlook on the AA-rated debt to positive from stable.
By Karen PierogSeptember 21 -
Several Texas school districts, including Austin's, have put bond issues on the Nov. 8 ballot with some of the proceeds earmarked to fund security measures.
By Karen PierogSeptember 19 -
Despite a boost in state funding, Arizona school districts face big budget cuts unless the Republican-controlled legislature lifts a cap on their spending.
By Karen PierogSeptember 15 -
With Texas reporting a double-digit revenue increase in fiscal 2022 and projecting a record budget surplus, Gov. Greg Abbott wants a large property tax cut.
By Karen PierogSeptember 12 -
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has asked the state Supreme Court to validate bonds that would commence funding for a $5 billion, 15-year extension project.
By Karen PierogSeptember 9 -
Tollway revenue in the first half of 2022 surpassed pre-pandemic 2019 levels in five of the months.
By Karen PierogSeptember 8 -
Some Texas lawmakers are pushing legislation that could ensnare muni investment banks offering company funded access to out-of-state abortions for employees.
By Karen PierogSeptember 2 -
A three-judge panel reversed a district court's ruling in favor of the city's Firefighters' Relief and Retirement Fund that the law was unconstitutional.
By Karen PierogAugust 31