Standard&Poor's Ratings Services has lowered the ratings on various Minnesota issuing entities in conjunction with our lowering of the rating on the state's general obligation (GO) bonds. On Sept. 23rd, Standard&Poor's lowered the GO rating on the state to 'AA+' from 'AAA'. The outlook is stable. See the related report on Minnesota published on RatingDirect on the Global Credit Portal on Sept. 23, 2011. The outlook mirrors the state's general credit outlook. USPF Criteria: Appropriation-Backed Obligations, June 13, 2007 USPF Criteria: Moral Obligation Bonds, June 27, 2006