SC leaders to huddle with Moody’s over debt rating

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s financial leaders will meet with Moody’s Investor Service as the rating agency considers whether the national debt crisis should cause the state to lose its top credit rating.

Gov. Nikki Haley’s office said Monday that the state’s financial leaders will brief Moody’s on the state’s finances and economic outlook on Wednesday.

Last week, Moody’s warned that if the federal government didn’t deal with raising the nation’s $14.7 trillion debt limit and defaulted, it would likely lower its AAA ratings for Maryland, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

South Carolina had planned to meet with Moody’s analysts in June but that was canceled when a plane had mechanical problems.