Treasurers from the economically strapped Northeastern states will have a chance to air grievances with rating agencies July 26 at a meeting in Boston.
The top financial officials from many states in the region have seen their credit ratings fall and borrowing costs rise over the past two years of worsening recession.
Now some worry that the region's problems have unfairly magnified perceptions of their own troubles, according to Maine's treasurer, Samuel Shapiro. On June 6, Mr. Shapiro saw his state's AAA rating from Standard & Poor's Corp. fall to AA-plus.
"We're going to try to make sure that we're all judged individually, that we're not penalized for what's going on beyond our state lines," said Mr. Shapiro, who was a key organizer of the conference.
Some debate may take place, since rating agency officials say they analyze state finances individually. "We do take a case-by-case approach," said George W. Leung. But, he added, "certainly, we are aware of the concerns" that too many downgrades have been meted out in the Northeast.
Thirteen treasurers from the region, as well as the treasurer of Virginia, have been invited to the event, which is scheduled to take place at Boston's Harvard University Club.
