CHICAGO (Standard&Poor's) July 1, 2005—Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that Minnesota debt service payments will not be affected after the state Legislature failed to pass a biennial budget by June 30, sending the state into a partial shutdown. A district court judge ruled last week that the state must continue to fund essential services if there is a government shutdown. With some exceptions, the only departments that will continue to operate normally are those whose funding bills have received legislative approval and been signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. An appropriation bill for the department of finance was passed and signed by the governor, and there is an open, standing appropriation for the payment of all general
