Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'AA' long-term rating, and stable outlook, to Connecticut's $250 million special tax obligation (STO) bonds transportation infrastructure purposes, 2009 series A; $250 million STO bonds transportation infrastructure purposes, 2009 series B (Taxable Build America Bonds - Direct Pay); and $50 million STO refunding bonds transportation infrastructure purposes, 2009 series C. At the same time, we affirmed the 'AA' ratings on the STO senior parity bonds ($2 billion) and second-lien bonds ($556 million) outstanding. The bonds are secured by a first-lien pledge of revenues to the special transportation fund (STF), paid before operations. The ratings are based on our assessment of: A diverse mix of pledged revenues that is levied statewide (population 3.5 million);
