Fitch Ratings assigned a grade of A- to New Haven debt last week, the same rating assigned last year before the economic crisis took hold. While the city is facing a tough budget year and is suffering form rising unemployment, Fitch credited Yale and the Yale-New Haven Hospital for providing a stable economic foundation. The A- rating is a result of the $45 million in 2009 General Obligation bonds to be issued later this week, as well as for the $503 million in outstanding General Obligation debt.