Moody's, after issuing a warning in July, lowered the state's credit outlook to "negative," but left its general obligation bond rating at Aa2. State Treasurer Lynn Fitch, who was critical of the Legislature's borrowing and budgeting this spring, said the moves should come as no surprise after the Moody's July report warning. "Credit rating downgrades, even small ones, cost taxpayers money, and we need to address this seriously and quickly," Fitch said. "Mississippi can get back on the right path, but we must stick tight by our budgeting laws. We must contain spending. We must stop putting so much on the taxpayers' credit card in bond bills. We must stop relying on one-time money to fill budget holes."