Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'AAA' long-term rating to Austin, Texas' $231.05 million series 2011 public improvement refunding bonds, series 2011A public improvement bonds, series 2011B taxable public improvement bonds, series 2011 certificates of obligation, and series 2011 public property finance contractual obligations. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'AAA' long-term and underlying rating (SPUR) on the city's outstanding general obligation (GO) debt and its 'AA+' long-term rating on the city's existing appropriation lease debt. The outlook on all ratings is stable. Factors that support the 'AAA' ratings include our view of the city's: Strong and diverse economic base, which is anchored by state government and higher education and has deepened and diversified measurably since
