Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'AA' long-term rating to Hudson County Improvement Authority, N.J.'s series 2015 county-secured lease revenue refunding bonds. Standard&Poor's also affirmed its 'AA' rating on the authority's existing debt, supported by Hudson County. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'AA-' rating on the county's appropriation-backed debt. The outlook on all the ratings is stable. Proceeds of these bonds will be used to refund the county-secured series 2007 lease revenue bonds for interest-rate savings. The 'AA' rating reflects the county's Strong economy, with access to a broad and diverse metropolitan statistical area (MSA); Strong management, with "good" financial policies; Strong budgetary performance, with balanced operating results in the general fund and
