OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AA' rating to the following Oklahoma Development Finance Authority (ODFA), Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, master real property lease revenue obligations (subject to annual appropriation) of the state of Oklahoma:

--\$1.92 million series 2014H;
--\$4.57 million series 2014 bond anticipation notes (BANs).

The bonds and BANs are expected to sell via negotiation on or about Feb. 10, 2015.

The Rating Outlook is Stable.

SECURITY

The bonds and BANs are limited special obligations of the ODFA secured by annual appropriations of the state of Oklahoma. The intended source of repayment on the obligations is the state board of regents for higher education on behalf of certain Oklahoma colleges and universities from their annual budget allocations. The BANs are expected to be redeemed on or prior to the maturity date of Dec. 1, 2018 with funds then currently on hand or by the issuance of a long-term bond that has been authorized by the ODFA under the current trust indenture.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

APPROPRIATION MECHANISM: The rating on the ODFA bonds and BANs, backed by Oklahoma's annual legislative appropriation pledge, is one notch below the state's 'AA+' general obligation (GO) bond rating. This reflects the state's general credit standing, sound lease structure, and statutory authorization for these types of debt obligations.

CONSERVATIVE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS: The state's financial operations are conservatively managed, including maintenance of separate rainy day (the constitutional reserve) and cash flow reserve funds and a policy of appropriating only 95% of expected revenues. The limited appropriation of revenues provides a cushion for the variability in the state's revenue sources, particularly the cyclical collections of severance tax revenue.

CONCENTRATED ECONOMIC BASE: The state's commodity-based economy is based on oil and gas production as well as various agricultural products. The economy has exhibited solid growth since the recession with unemployment rates well below the national average. Differing from the post-recession trends, the current decline in oil prices, if they continue long term, would have a negative impact on employment in this sector. Reduced production would also reduce severance taxes collected from this sector.

MANAGEABLE LIABILITY POSITION: Debt levels are low, and tax-supported debt is amortized relatively quickly. Several rounds of pension reform have improved the state's long-term liability position, with the combined burden of debt and pensions slightly above the state median. Most new debt issuance is in the form of lease revenue bonds.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

The rating is sensitive to shifts in the state's GO rating to which it is linked.

CREDIT PROFILE

The ODFA bonds and BANs currently offered are secured by lease rental payments by the State Regents from state general fund revenues, subject to annual legislative appropriation. ODFA is one of the principal financing agencies of the state. Both the state constitution and enabling statutes provide for appropriation of lease payments in support of the master real property program. Additionally, the master leasing structure on behalf of the State Regents has been validated by the Oklahoma state supreme court.

The terms of the leases extend through the life of both the bonds and the BANs; the maximum lease term permitted by the ODFA is 30 years and lease payments are not abatable. The BANs are expected to be redeemed on or prior to the maturity date of Dec. 1, 2018 with funds then currently on hand or by the issuance of a long-term bond that has been authorized by the ODFA under the current trust indenture. The current offerings provide funding for a portion of the cost of constructing and equipping a new health, science, and math building for the University Center of Southern Oklahoma.

All higher education appropriations to the State Regents are consolidated, with the State Regents authorized to allocate funds first to payment of lease rentals of each participating institution. The State Regents covenant to include a budget request for lease payments sufficient to pay debt service for these bonds. The fiscal 2015 operating fund appropriation for the State Regents is \$988.5 million, identical to the budget appropriation for fiscal 2014. The stable appropriation is a positive for the State Regents as most other state agencies' appropriations were decreased by 5.5% in fiscal 2015, incorporating a reduced level of expected revenues for that year.

The state's 'AA+' GO bond rating and Stable Outlook reflect low debt levels and disciplined financial policies. This includes an appropriation limit of 95% of certified general fund revenues, close monitoring of revenue results, and provisions to maintain separate rainy day and cash reserve funds. The state has demonstrated a willingness and ability to address fiscal challenges including revenue underperformance through the recession. Tax rate adjustments are limited by a supermajority requirement of the legislature or voter referendum to raise tax rates.

Additional information on the state of Oklahoma is available in the Jan. 7 press release, 'Fitch Rates Oklahoma's \$50MM OCIA Bonds 'AA'; Outlook Stable,', available at 'www.fitchratings.com'.