CHICAGO (Standard&Poor's) Aug. 10, 2009--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services has assigned its 'AAA' long-term rating to Minnesota's 2009D-2009G general obligation (GO) bonds. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'AAA' rating on the state's GO-backed debt and 'AA+' rating on the state's appropriation-backed debt. The outlook is stable. "In our view, the rating reflects Minnesota's deep and diverse economy supported by several regional economic hubs and anchored by the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan statistical area, the center of the upper Midwest economy," said Standard&Poor's credit analyst Corey Friedman. Also supporting the rating are Minnesota's continued strong management that remains committed to structural balance and maintenance of reserves while the state weathers through the current economic
