Fitch Downgrades New Jersey GO to A from A-Plus

Fitch Ratings downgraded New Jersey's general obligation rating to A from A-plus because of its use of one-time measures to balance budgets, its extremely narrow financial reserves, and its continued below average economic growth.

In a report Friday afternoon, Fitch also downgraded bonds secured by the state's annual appropriation and part of the New Jersey School Bond Reserve to A-minus from A.

It assigned an A-minus rating to the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority higher education facilities trust fund bonds, series 2014.

The ratings outlook remains negative.

New Jersey is rated A-plus by Standard & Poor's and A1 by Moody's Investors Service.

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