31.   The bond ratings agencies, acknowledging the threat the issue presents to the industry, have already weighed in.

32.   The bond ratings of all three of those cities remain below investment-grade rating.

33.   The changes prompted the resignations of Thomas J. McGuire, the head of corporate bond ratings, and Daniel M. Heimowitz, who had run the public finance department.

34.   The county misrepresented its financial condition to the bond rating agencies, the commission concluded, and made false representations about a report from an outside auditor.

35.   The hospitals corporation, whose bond rating was lowered last year, might have trouble borrowing money on its own, financial experts said.

36.   The mayor and the council leadership are frequently at odds over budgetary matters, and the joint presentation underscored the importance to the city of preserving its bond rating.

37.   The move is a warning that bond ratings could be lowered, raising interest rates.

38.   The use of bond risk ratings in promotional materials is barred.

39.   There were nasty union battles, a frighteningly low bond rating.

40.   They say New York has had an egregious history of gimmicky borrowing that has resulted in the lowest bond rating of any state.