Developing outlook is linked to pending litigation
New York, January 07, 2013 --
Moody's Rating
Issue: Statewide Senior Lien Liquor Profits Tax-Exempt Revenue
Bonds, 2013A; Rating: A2; Sale Amount: $322,230,000;
Expected Sale Date: 1-23-2013; Rating Description:
Revenue: Other
Issue: Statewide Senior Lien Liquor Profits Taxable Revenue Bonds,
2013B; Rating: A2; Sale Amount: $1,190,405,000;
Expected Sale Date: 1-23-2013; Rating Description:
Revenue: Other
OPINION
Moody's Investors Service has assigned an initial rating of A2,
with a developing outlook, to the JobsOhio Beverage System's
planned issuance of $1.5 billion of Statewide Senior Lien
Liquor Profits Revenue Bonds, Series 2013A and Series 2013B.
The bonds are secured by a first-lien pledge of net profits from
the state's Liquor Enterprise. Proceeds will defease prior
debt secured by the same revenue stream, while also providing a
$500 million infusion for state general operating expenses and
approximately $225 million for economic development programs and
working capital. Interest payments on the Series 2013A bonds will
not be subject to federal income taxes, and the Series 2013B bonds
will be subject to federal income taxes.
SUMMARY RATING RATIONALE
The rating is based on a revenue stream that is narrow, consisting
of net profits from liquor sales, yet that is also derived from
a statewide base. The consumer spending behind these pledged revenues
is discretionary, but a history of steady growth through recessions
indicates only limited economic risk. Revenues, pledged on
a net basis, are vulnerable to state Liquor Enterprise expense growth.
Expected maximum annual debt service (MADS) coverage, as well as
a test mandating two times MADS coverage for additional bonds and a requirement
for monthly set-asides of pledged revenue, should afford
a sufficient buffer against potential revenue underperformance.
The rating also factors in a pending threat from unresolved litigation
against the creation of the entity that will issue the debt, a 501(c)(3)
called the JobsOhio Beverage System. The developing outlook indicates
that near-term developments in that litigation may affect the credit
rating.
STRENGTHS
--Leverage constraint requiring two times MADS coverage
--Requirement that revenues be set aside monthly in advance
of principal and interest payment dates
--History of persistent growth in pledged Liquor Enterprise
net profits
CHALLENGES
--Narrow nature of pledged revenue stream
--Pledged revenues' vulnerability to Liquor Enterprise
expenditure growth, and to increases in state tax deducted from
gross revenues
--Lack of debt-service reserve fund
OUTLOOK
The developing outlook assigned to this credit indicates that we expect
the rating to be influenced near-term by developments in the pending
appeal of the lower court rulings that the plaintiffs lack standing.
A conclusive ruling by the state Supreme Court that ends any currently
pending litigation could be expected to have a positive effect on the
rating.
WHAT COULD MOVE THE RATING UP
--Resolution of pending litigation against JobsOhio
--Provision of contingency measures that shield bondholders
from impact of litigation
WHAT COULD MOVE THE RATING DOWN
--Advances in legal challenges to JobsOhio, such as
through a Supreme Court action that allows case to proceed
--Deterioration of net liquor profits revenues pledged to
bondholders
The principal methodology used in this rating was US Public Finance Special
Tax Methodology published in March 2012. Please see the Credit
Policy page on www.moodys.com for a copy of this methodology.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For ratings issued on a program, series or category/class of debt,
this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation
to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series
or category/class of debt or pursuant to a program for which the ratings
are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody's
rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider,
this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation
to the rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular
rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the
support provider's credit rating. For provisional ratings,
this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation
to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive
rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt,
in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed
prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would
have affected the rating. For further information please see the
ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.
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the lead rating analyst and to the Moody's legal entity that has issued
the rating.
Edward Hampton
Vice President - Senior Analyst
Public Finance Group
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
250 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
U.S.A.
JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376
SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653
Emily Raimes
VP - Senior Credit Officer
Public Finance Group
JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376
SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653
Releasing Office:
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
250 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
U.S.A.
JOURNALISTS: 212-553-0376
SUBSCRIBERS: 212-553-1653
Moody's assigns A2 rating to JobsOhio Beverage System's $1.5 billion of Statewide Senior Lien Liquor Profits Revenue Bonds, Series 2013A and Series 2013B