WASHINGTON D.C. (Standard&Poor's) Nov. 16, 2004—Standard&Poor's Ratings Services has raised its rating on the District of Columbia's (D.C.) outstanding parity GO debt to 'A' from 'A-', reflecting a track record of seven consecutive years of operating surpluses; and strict financial policies and practices that significantly reduce the risk of future financial difficulties, including statutory reserve levels at 7% of revenues and ongoing budget oversight and approval by congress, with clearly defined triggers that would reinstate the control period. The outlook is stable. At the same time, the rating agency assigned its 'A' rating to the district's $170 million GO bonds series 2004A. Other rating factors include a diversifying regional employment center anchored by the federal government,
