Standard&Poor's Ratings Services has assigned its 'AA' long-term rating, and stable outlook, to Connecticut's second-lien special tax obligation refunding bonds transportation infrastructure purposes series 2009 1. At the same time, we affirmed the 'AA' ratings on the special tax obligation senior- and second-lien parity bonds. Because the structure of the second-lien bonds is in many ways similar to the senior-lien bonds (including a 2x debt service coverage [DSC] and additional bonds requirement), and coverage is strong in our view, Standard&Poor's does not make a rating distinction between senior- and second-lien bonds outstanding. The ratings are based on our assessment of: A positive long-term trend in pledged revenue receipts that are levied statewide and that we believe
