Southwest

The state House and Senate announced their spending plans for the upcoming biennium, including funding to continue and increase 2023's state-funded tax cut.

The county would hold a special election for a sales tax to provide more funds to build and operate a bond-financed jail project that faces rising costs.

"Stan, as a former CFO and controller within the school system, has considerable insight into the needs of our education clients, and can leverage the full breadth of Stephens' resources to help them realize their goals," Stephens' Leigh Ann Biernat said in a statement.

Public school districts sought bond authorizations in January totaling $469 million, which topped an available state cap of $293.4 million.

While Texas is forecasting a big budget balance, fiscal boom times are ebbing for it and other Southwest states amid tax cuts and depleted federal funding.

Fieldman, Rolapp & Co. has acquired Orem, Utah-based municipal advisor G.L. Hicks, a healthcare finance specialist.

The Goldwater Institute took aim at another Arizona municipality, filing a lawsuit against tax rate hikes approved by the Gilbert Town Council in October.

The state comptroller forecasts a $23.8 billion budget balance at the start of fiscal 2026-27, down from a record $39.4 billion for fiscal 2024-25.

Wish lists for new or improved professional sports venues are piling up with Oklahoma City poised to vet financing proposals for a downtown basketball arena.