UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-7812

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

125 Broad Street, New York, NY

 

10004

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

300 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(800) 451-2010

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

June 30

 

 

Date of reporting period:

June 30, 2007

 

 



 

ITEM 1.

 

REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 

 

 

 

The Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.

 



 

 

Western Asset

 

Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.

 

(MPT)

 

 

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

 

JUNE 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE

 


 

 

Western Asset

 

 

Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Report June 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s

Fund Overview

1

Inside

 

 

 

Fund at a Glance

2

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments

3

 

 

 

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

11

 

 

 

 

Statement of Operations

12

 

 

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

13

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

14

 

 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

15

Fund Objective

 

 

 

The Fund’s primary investment

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

20

objective is to seek a high level of

 

 

 

current income which is exempt from

 

Additional Information

21

regular federal income taxes,*

 

 

 

consistent with the preservation of

 

Annual Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certifications

24

capital. As a secondary investment

 

 

 

objective, the Fund intends to

 

Additional Shareholder Information

25

enhance portfolio value by

 

 

 

purchasing tax exempt securities that,

 

Important Tax Information

26

 in the opinion of the investment manager, may appreciate in value relative to other similar obligations in the marketplace.

* Certain investors may be subject to the Federal Alternative Minimum Tax, and state and local taxes may apply. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax advisor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Fund Overview

 

On July 23, 2007, the Fund announced the completion of the merger of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. with and into Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. Effective with the opening of business on July 23, 2007, shareholders of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc., (which previously traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MPT”) became shareholders of Western Asset Municipal Partners Inc. (MNP). Each share of common stock of MPT converted into an equivalent dollar amount of full shares of common stock of MNP. The conversion ratio was calculated at 0.973323. MNP did not issue any fractional shares to MPT common shareholders. In lieu thereof, MNP purchased all fractional shares at the current net asset value of the shares and remitted the cash proceeds to former MPT common shareholders in the proportion of their fractional shares. In addition, each outstanding share of MPT Auction Rate Preferred Stock, Series M converted into one full share of MNP Auction Rate Preferred Stock, Series M.

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report

1

 


 

Fund at a Glance (unaudited)

 

Investment Breakdown

 

As a Percent of Total Investments

 

 

*  A refunded bond is a bond in which the original security has been replaced by an escrow, usually consisting of treasuries or agencies, which has been structured to pay principal, interest and any call premium, either to a call date (in the case of a prerefunded bond), or to maturity (in the case of an escrowed to maturity bond). This is accomplished with the proceeds of a refunding issue. Once refunded, a bond takes on the credit quality of the securities held in the escrow. Bonds are commonly refunded to achieve savings when interest rates decline, though sometimes issuers refund a bond to relieve themselves of legal covenants in the refunded issue which they feel have become too restrictive.

 

2

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report

 


 

Schedule of Investments (June 30, 2007)

 

WESTERN ASSET MUNICIPAL PARTNERS FUND II INC.

 

Face

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 97.9%

 

 

 

California — 12.2%

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

California EFA Revenue, College & University Financing Program,

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.000% due 2/1/26

 

$

1,006,770

 

1,000,000

 

California Health Facilities Financing Authority Revenue,

 

 

 

 

 

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 5.000% due 11/15/34

 

1,006,750

 

 

 

California State, GO:

 

 

 

1,485,000

 

Call 6/1/11 @ 100, 5.125% due 6/1/24 (a)

 

1,553,266

 

15,000

 

Unrefunded Balance, 5.125% due 6/1/24

 

15,562

 

2,500,000

 

Huntington Beach, CA, Union High School District, GO,

 

 

 

 

 

Election 2004, FSA-Insured, 5.000% due 8/1/29

 

2,579,650

 

3,000,000

 

Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water & Power Revenue, Power Systems,

 

 

 

 

 

Subordinated Series A-1, FSA-Insured, 5.000% due 7/1/35

 

3,097,860

 

1,000,000

 

Mojave Water Agency, Improvement California District M, GO, Refunding,

 

 

 

 

 

Electric of 1990-Morongo Basin, AMBAC-Insured, 5.000% due 9/1/18

 

1,057,430

 

2,500,000

 

Napa Valley, CA, Community College District, GO, Election of 2002,

 

 

 

 

 

Series B, MBIA-Insured, Call 8/1/15 @ 100, 5.000% due 8/1/23 (a)

 

2,669,100

 

2,500,000

 

Turlock, CA, Public Financing Authority, Tax Allocation Revenue,

 

 

 

 

 

FSA-Insured, 5.000% due 9/1/30

 

2,570,225

 

 

 

Total California

 

15,556,613

 

Colorado — 5.4%

 

 

 

 

 

Colorado Health Facilities Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

1,750,000

 

Poudre Valley Health Care, Series F, 5.000% due 3/1/25

 

1,753,202

 

5,000,000

 

Refunding Adventist Health, Sunbelt, Series D, 5.250% due 11/15/35 (b)

 

5,118,700

 

 

 

Total Colorado

 

6,871,902

 

Connecticut — 2.5%

 

 

 

3,000,000

 

Connecticut State Special Tax Obligation Revenue, Transportation Infrastructure,

 

 

 

 

 

Series A, AMBAC-Insured, 5.000% due 7/1/23

 

3,132,690

 

Florida — 1.6%

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

Florida State Department of Environmental Protection, Preservation Revenue,

 

 

 

 

 

Florida Forever, Series A, AMBAC-Insured, 5.000% due 7/1/21

 

2,097,920

 

Illinois — 12.5%

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

Chicago, IL, Board of Education, GO, Chicago School Reform,

 

 

 

 

 

AMBAC-Insured, Call 12/1/07 @ 102, 5.750% due 12/1/27 (a)

 

1,027,890

 

1,750,000

 

Chicago, IL, Midway Airport Revenue, Series B, MBIA-Insured,

 

 

 

 

 

5.625% due 1/1/29 (c)

 

1,769,145

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report        3

 


 

Schedule of Investments (June 30, 2007) (continued)

 

Face

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

Illinois — 12.5% (continued)

 

 

 

$

3,000,000

 

Chicago, IL, Park District, GO, Refunding, Series D, FGIC-Insured,

 

 

 

 

 

5.000% due 1/1/29

 

$

3,096,480

 

1,000,000

 

Chicago, IL, Public Building Commission, Building Revenue,

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago School Reform, Series B, FGIC-Insured, 5.250% due 12/1/18

 

1,086,880

 

250,000

 

Cook County, IL, Refunding, GO, Series A, MBIA-Insured,

 

 

 

 

 

5.625% due 11/15/16

 

254,103

 

1,000,000

 

Illinois EFA Revenue, Northwestern University, 5.500% due 12/1/13

 

1,060,710

 

 

 

Illinois Health Facilities Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

1,850,000

 

Refunding, SSM Health Care, MBIA-Insured, 6.550% due 6/1/13 (d)

 

2,091,295

 

2,000,000

 

Servantoor Project, Series A, FSA-Insured, 6.000% due 8/15/12 (d)

 

2,151,280

 

605,000

 

South Suburban Hospital Project, 7.000% due 2/15/18 (d)

 

700,517

 

2,645,000

 

Illinois State, Sales Tax Revenue, 5.500% due 6/15/16

 

2,791,930

 

 

 

Total Illinois

 

16,030,230

 

Indiana — 2.8%

 

 

 

 

 

Indiana Bond Bank Revenue, Series B:

 

 

 

160,000

 

5.000% due 8/1/23

 

163,190

 

90,000

 

Call 8/1/10 @ 101, 5.000% due 8/1/23 (a)

 

93,544

 

1,195,000

 

Indiana Health Facility Financing Authority, Hospital Revenue,

 

 

 

 

 

Community Hospital Project, Series A, AMBAC-Insured, 5.000% due 5/1/35

 

1,224,505

 

2,000,000

 

Indiana State DFA Environment Improvement Revenue, USX Corp. Project,

 

 

 

 

 

5.250% due 12/1/22

 

2,089,060

 

 

 

Total Indiana

 

3,570,299

 

Maryland — 4.6%

 

 

 

 

 

Maryland State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

1,500,000

 

Carroll County General Hospital, 6.000% due 7/1/37

 

1,593,630

 

1,500,000

 

Suburban Hospital, Series A, 5.500% due 7/1/16

 

1,595,760

 

500,000

 

University of Maryland Medical Systems, 6.000% due 7/1/32

 

529,835

 

2,000,000

 

Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority, Solid Waste Revenue,

 

 

 

 

 

AMBAC-Insured, 5.500% due 4/1/16 (c)

 

2,112,520

 

 

 

Total Maryland

 

5,831,745

 

Massachusetts — 2.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Massachusetts State Water Pollution Abatement Trust Revenue,

 

 

 

 

 

MWRA Program, Series A:

 

 

 

2,125,000

 

5.750% due 8/1/29

 

2,216,991

 

525,000

 

Call 8/1/09 @ 101, 5.750% due 8/1/29 (a)

 

549,665

 

 

 

Total Massachusetts

 

2,766,656

 

Michigan — 3.6%

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

Detroit, MI, City School District, GO, School Building & Site Improvement,

 

 

 

 

 

Series A, FGIC-Insured, Call 5/1/13 @ 100, 5.500% due 5/1/17 (a)

 

1,076,280

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

4        Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report

 


 

Schedule of Investments (June 30, 2007) (continued)

 

Face

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

Michigan — 3.6% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Michigan State, Hospital Finance Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

$

2,000,000

 

Refunding, Sparrow Hospital Obligated, 5.000% due 11/15/36

 

$

2,004,700

 

1,500,000

 

Trinity Health, Series C, 5.375% due 12/1/30

 

1,560,270

 

 

 

Total Michigan

 

4,641,250

 

Missouri — 2.0%

 

 

 

2,500,000

 

Missouri State Environmental Improvement & Energy Research Authority,
PCR Refunding Revenue, Associated Electric Co-op Thomas Hill,

 

 

 

 

 

5.500% due 12/1/10

 

2,528,175

 

New Jersey — 2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

New Jersey EDA:

 

 

 

2,500,000

 

Motor Vehicle Surcharges Revenue, Series A, MBIA-Insured,

 

 

 

 

 

5.250% due 7/1/16

 

2,668,050

 

1,000,000

 

Water Facilities Revenue, New Jersey American Water Co. Inc. Project,

 

 

 

 

 

Series A, FGIC-Insured, 6.875% due 11/1/34 (c)

 

1,011,530

 

 

 

Total New Jersey

 

3,679,580

 

New York — 11.3%

 

 

 

2,415,000

 

Long Island Power Authority, NY, Electric System Revenue, Gen-Series B,

 

 

 

 

 

5.000% due 12/1/35

 

2,481,388

 

 

 

New York City, NY, GO:

 

 

 

 

 

Series A:

 

 

 

10,000

 

6.000% due 5/15/30

 

10,566

 

990,000

 

Call 5/15/10 @ 101, 6.000% due 5/15/30 (a)

 

1,056,003

 

1,500,000

 

Series G, 5.000% due 12/1/33

 

1,538,265

 

2,000,000

 

New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer Systems Revenue, Series D, 5.000% due 6/15/37

 

2,055,480

 

 

 

New York City, NY, TFA Revenue:

 

 

 

495,000

 

Future Tax Secured, Series A, Call 11/15/12 @ 100, 5.500% due 11/15/17 (a)

 

532,318

 

4,005,000

 

Unrefunded Balance, Future Tax Secured, Series A, 5.500% due 11/15/17

 

4,281,105

 

2,385,000

 

New York State Environmental Facilities Corp., State Clean Water & Drinking,

 

 

 

 

 

NYC Municipal Water Finance Authority, Series A, 5.000% due 6/15/17

 

2,538,141

 

 

 

Total New York

 

14,493,266

 

North Carolina — 3.2%

 

 

 

4,000,000

 

University of North Carolina, University Revenue, Series A, 5.000% due 12/1/34

 

4,135,960

 

Oregon — 1.0%

 

 

 

1,250,000

 

Multnomah County, OR, Hospital Facilities Authority Revenue,
Providence Health Systems, 5.250% due 10/1/18

 

1,313,163

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report        5

 


 

Schedule of Investments (June 30, 2007) (continued)

 

Face

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

Pennsylvania — 3.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Philadelphia, PA:

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Works Revenue, 7th Series 1998, General Ordinance:

 

 

 

$

2,685,000

 

5.000% due 10/1/17

 

$

2,845,080

 

1,000,000

 

5.000% due 10/1/23

 

1,043,990

 

250,000

 

School District, GO, Series A, FSA-Insured, Call 2/1/12 @ 100, 5.500%

 

 

 

 

 

due 2/1/31 (a)

 

265,592

 

 

 

Total Pennsylvania

 

4,154,662

 

Puerto Rico — 1.4%

 

 

 

1,600,000

 

Puerto Rico Commonwealth Highway & Transportation Authority,

 

 

 

 

 

Highway Revenue, Series X, FSA-Insured, 5.500% due 7/1/15

 

1,754,992

 

Tennessee — 1.0%

 

 

 

1,200,000

 

Memphis-Shelby County, TN, Airport Authority Revenue,

 

 

 

 

 

Series D, AMBAC-Insured, 6.000% due 3/1/24 (c)

 

1,260,360

 

Texas — 15.8%

 

 

 

2,500,000

 

Aledo, TX, GO, ISD, School Building, Series A, PSF-Insured, 5.000% due 2/15/30

 

2,563,600

 

330,000

 

Austin, TX, Airport Systems Revenue, Series A, MBIA-Insured,
Call 11/15/07 @ 100, 6.200% due 11/15/15 (a)(c)

 

332,716

 

1,000,000

 

Edgewood, TX, GO, ISD, Bexar County, PSF-Insured, 5.250% due 2/15/17

 

1,063,040

 

3,500,000

 

Houston, TX, Utility System Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

Combined First Lien, FSA-Insured, 5.000% due 11/15/35

 

3,591,350

 

3,000,000

 

Refunding, Combined First Lien, Series A, FSA-Insured, 5.250% due 5/15/20

 

3,169,830

 

1,600,000

 

Lake Dallas, TX, GO, ISD, School Building, PSF-Insured, 5.000% due 8/15/34

 

1,634,528

 

1,000,000

 

Mesquite, TX, ISD No. 1, GO, Capital Appreciation, Series A, PSFG-Insured,
zero coupon bond to yield 5.169% due 8/15/27

 

363,370

 

1,380,000

 

North Harris Montgomery Community College District, TX, GO, FGIC-Insured,
5.375% due 2/15/16

 

1,456,328

 

2,225,000

 

Northwest Texas, GO, ISD, PSF-Insured, 5.250% due 8/15/18

 

2,367,644

 

2,000,000

 

Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Revenue,
Refunding, Texas Health Resources, Series A, 5.000% due 2/15/21

 

2,052,160

 

1,500,000

 

Texas State Turnpike Authority Revenue, First Tier, Series A, AMBAC-Insured,
5.500% due 8/15/39

 

1,584,075

 

 

 

Total Texas

 

20,178,641

 

Virginia — 3.5%

 

 

 

2,915,000

 

Greater Richmond, VA, Convention Center Authority, Hotel Tax Revenue,
Convention Center Expansion Project, Call 6/15/10 @ 101, 6.125%

 

 

 

 

 

due 6/15/20 (a)

 

3,118,147

 

1,260,000

 

Virginia State Public Building Authority, Public Facilities Revenue, Series A,
5.000% due 8/1/11

 

1,310,425

 

 

 

Total Virginia

 

4,428,572

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6        Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report

 


 

Schedule of Investments (June 30, 2007) (continued)

 

Face

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

Washington — 5.2%

 

 

 

$

1,900,000

 

Chelan County, WA, Public Utility District, Chelan Hydro System No.1,

 

 

 

 

 

Construction Revenue, Series A, AMBAC-Insured, 5.450% due 7/1/37 (c)

 

$

1,968,210

 

1,000,000

 

King County, WA, GO, Refunding, Series B, MBIA-Insured, 5.000% due 1/1/30

 

1,010,300

 

2,000,000

 

Port of Seattle, WA, Revenue, Refunding, Intermediate Lien, Series A,

 

 

 

 

 

MBIA-Insured, 5.000% due 3/1/30

 

2,056,300

 

400,000

 

Seattle, WA, GO, Series B, FSA-Insured, Call 12/1/09 @ 101, 5.750%

 

 

 

 

 

due 12/1/28 (a)

 

421,144

 

1,200,000

 

Washington State Public Power Supply System Revenue, Nuclear Project No. 1,

 

 

 

 

 

Series A, MBIA-Insured, 5.125% due 7/1/17

 

1,232,904

 

 

 

Total Washington

 

6,688,858

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

(Cost — $123,788,338)

 

125,115,534

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 2.1%

 

 

 

Colorado — 0.4%

 

 

 

500,000

 

Colorado Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority, JFMC Facilities Corp.,

 

 

 

 

 

LOC-Bank of America, 3.860%, 7/2/07 (e)

 

500,000

 

New Hampshire — 0.4%

 

 

 

550,000

 

New Hampshire HEFA Revenue, Dartmouth College, Series B, SPA-JPMorgan

 

 

 

 

 

Chase, 3.900%, 7/2/07 (e)

 

550,000

 

Texas — 1.3%

 

 

 

300,000 

 

Bell County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Revenue, Scott & White
Memorial Hospital, Series 2001-1, MBIA-Insured, SPA-JPMorgan

 

 

 

 

 

Chase, 3.860%, 7/2/07 (e)

 

300,000

 

1,300,000

 

Harris County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Revenue, Refunding,

 

 

 

 

 

Methodist Hospital Systems, Series A, 3.850%, 7/2/07 (e)

 

1,300,000

 

 

 

Total Texas

 

1,600,000

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost — $2,650,000)

 

2,650,000

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%

 

 

 

 

 

(Cost — $126,438,338#)

 

$

127,765,534

 

(a)  Pre-Refunded bonds are escrowed with government obligations and/or government agency securities and are considered by the Manager to be triple-A rated even if issuer has not applied for new ratings.

(b)  Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at June 30, 2007.

(c)  Income from this issue is considered a preference item for purposes of calculating the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”).

(d)  Bonds are escrowed to maturity by government securities and/or U.S. government agency securities and are considered by the Manager to be triple-A rated even if issuer has not applied for new ratings.

(e)  Variable rate demand obligations have a demand feature under which the Fund can tender them back to the issuer on no more than 7 days notice. Date shown is the date of the next interest rate change.

#    Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $126,428,726.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report        7


 

Schedule of Investments (June 30, 2007) (continued)

 

Abbreviations used in this schedule:

AMBAC

— Ambac Assurance Corporation

DFA

— Development Finance Agency

EDA

— Economic Development Authority

EFA

— Educational Facilities Authority

FGIC

— Financial Guaranty Insurance Company

FSA

— Financial Security Assurance

GO

— General Obligation

HEFA

— Health & Educational Facilities Authority

ISD

— Independent School District

LOC

— Letter of Credit

MBIA

— Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation

MWRA

— Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

PCR

— Pollution Control Revenue

PSF

— Permanent School Fund

PSFG

— Permanent School Fund Guaranty

SPA

— Standby Bond Purchase Agreement

TFA

— Transitional Finance Authority

 

Summary of Investments by Industry* (unaudited)

 

Hospitals

 

17.1

%

 

General Obligation

 

14.9

 

 

Utilities

 

14.4

 

 

Pre-Refunded

 

9.9

 

 

Tax Allocation

 

7.8

 

 

Transportation

 

6.6

 

 

Pollution Control

 

5.3

 

 

Education

 

4.9

 

 

Water & Sewer

 

4.6

 

 

Escrowed to Maturity

 

3.9

 

 

Electric

 

2.4

 

 

Industrial Development

 

2.1

 

 

Public Facilities

 

1.9

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

4.2

 

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

*  As a percentage of total investments. Please note that Fund holdings are as of June 30, 2007 and are subject to change.

 

Ratings Table (June 30, 2007) (unaudited)

 

As a Percent of Total Investments

 

S&P/Moody’s**

 

 

 

 

AAA/Aaa

 

68.2

%

 

AA/Aa

 

13.8

 

 

A

 

11.0

 

 

BBB/Baa

 

5.0

 

 

A-1/VMIG1

 

2.0

 

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

**  S&P primary rating; Moody’s secondary.

See pages 9 and 10 for definitions of ratings.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8        Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report


 

Bond Ratings (unaudited)

 

The definitions of the applicable rating symbols are set forth below:

 

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service (“Standard & Poor’s”) — Ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (–) sign to show relative standings within the major rating categories.

 

AAA  

Bonds rated “AAA” have the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

AA   

Bonds rated “AA” have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differ from the highest rated issues only in a small degree.

A   

Bonds rated “A” have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

BBB   

Bonds rated “BBB” are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.

BB, B, CCC, CC and C 

Bonds rated “BB”, “B”, “CCC”, “CC” and “C” are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. “BB” represents the lowest degree of speculation and “C” the highest degree of speculation. While such bonds will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

D   

Bonds rated “D” are in default and payment of interest and/or repayment of principal is in arrears.

 

Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) — Numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 may be applied to each generic rating from “Aa” to “Caa,” where 1 is the highest and 3 the lowest ranking within its generic category.

 

Aaa   

Bonds rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edge.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa   

Bonds rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the “Aaa” group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in “Aaa” securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in “Aaa” securities.

A   

Bonds rated “A” possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.

Baa   

Bonds rated “Baa” are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba   

Bonds rated “Ba” are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and therefore not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B   

Bonds rated “B” generally lack characteristics of desirable investments. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa   

Bonds rated “Caa” are of poor standing. These may be in default, or present elements of danger may exist with respect to principal or interest.

Ca   

Bonds rated “Ca” represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked short-comings.

C   

Bonds rated “C” are the lowest class of bonds and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

NR  

 Indicates that the bond is not rated by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report        9

 


 

Short-Term Security Ratings (unaudited)

 

SP-1   

Standard & Poor’s highest rating indicating very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and interest; those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) sign.

A-1   

Standard & Poor’s highest commercial paper and variable-rate demand obligation (VRDO) rating indicating that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is either overwhelming or very strong; those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) sign.

VMIG 1   

Moody’s highest rating for issues having a demand feature — VRDO.

MIG1  

Moody’s highest rating for short-term municipal obligations.

P-1  

Moody’s highest rating for commercial paper and for VRDO prior to the advent of the VMIG 1 rating.

 

10        Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report


 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (June 30, 2007)

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

Investments, at value (Cost — $126,438,338)

 

$

127,765,534

 

Cash

 

38,924

 

Interest receivable

 

1,679,743

 

Receivable for securities sold

 

55,000

 

Prepaid expenses

 

28,822

 

Total Assets

 

129,568,023

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

Investment management fee payable

 

58,576

 

Distributions payable to Auction Rate Preferred Stockholders

 

26,282

 

Directors’ fees payable

 

9,242

 

Accrued expenses

 

90,344

 

Total Liabilities

 

184,444

 

Series M Auction Rate Preferred Stock (900 shares authorized and issued at $50,000 per share) (Note 4)

 

45,000,000

 

Total Net Assets

 

$

84,383,579

 

NET ASSETS:

 

 

 

Par value ($0.001 par value; 6,007,094 common shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 common shares authorized)

 

$

6,007

 

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

 

83,244,145

 

Undistributed net investment income

 

23,026

 

Accumulated net realized loss on investments

 

(216,795

)

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

 

1,327,196

 

Total Net Assets

 

$

84,383,579

 

Shares Outstanding

 

6,007,094

 

Net Asset Value

 

$14.05

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report        11

 


 

Statement of Operations (For the year ended June 30, 2007)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

6,009,077

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

Investment management fee (Note 2)

 

723,144

 

Auction agent fees

 

119,561

 

Directors’ fees

 

73,335

 

Legal fees

 

50,304

 

Audit and tax

 

26,524

 

Transfer agent fees

 

22,174

 

Stock exchange listing fees

 

19,349

 

Shareholder reports

 

14,937

 

Insurance

 

3,143

 

Custody fees

 

71

 

Miscellaneous expenses

 

15,239

 

Total Expenses

 

1,067,781

 

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 2)

 

(2,388

)

Net Expenses

 

1,065,393

 

Net Investment Income

 

4,943,684

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS (NOTES 1 AND 3):

 

 

 

Net Realized Loss From Investment Transactions

 

(112,833

)

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation From Investments

 

1,072,699

 

Net Gain on Investments

 

959,866

 

Distributions Paid to Auction Rate Preferred Stockholders From Net Investment Income

 

(1,665,040

)

Increase in Net Assets From Operations

 

$

4,238,510

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12        Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (For the years ended June 30,)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

OPERATIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

$

4,943,684

 

$

5,008,025

 

Net realized gain (loss)

 

(112,833

)

501,915

 

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation

 

1,072,699

 

(5,751,757

)

Distributions paid to Auction Rate Preferred Stockholders from net investment income

 

(1,665,040

)

(1,359,860

)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations

 

4,238,510

 

(1,601,677

)

DISTRIBUTIONS PAID TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS FROM
(NOTE 1):

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(3,394,008

)

(4,529,349

)

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Common Stock Shareholders

 

(3,394,008

)

(4,529,349

)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

844,502

 

(6,131,026

)

NET ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

83,539,077

 

89,670,103

 

End of year*

 

$

84,383,579

 

$

83,539,077

 

* Includes undistributed net investment income of:

 

 

$23,026

 

 

$140,698

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report        13


 

Financial Highlights

 

For a share of common stock outstanding throughout each year ended June 30:

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year

 

$ 13.91

 

$ 14.93

 

$ 14.49

 

$ 15.33

 

$ 14.34

 

Income (Loss) From Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

0.82

 

0.83

 

0.86

 

0.92

 

0.94

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

0.17

 

(0.87

)

0.54

 

(0.86

)

0.95

 

Distributions paid to Auction Rate Preferred Stockholders from net investment income

 

(0.28

)

(0.23

)

(0.14

)

(0.08

)

(0.09

)

Total Income (Loss) From Operations

 

0.71

 

(0.27

)

1.26

 

(0.02

)

1.80

 

Less Distributions Paid to Common Stock Shareholders From:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(0.57

)

(0.75

)

(0.82

)

(0.82

)

(0.81

)

Net Asset Value, End of Year

 

$ 14.05

 

$ 13.91

 

$ 14.93

 

$ 14.49

 

$ 15.33

 

Market Price, End of Year

 

$ 12.80

 

$ 12.07

 

$ 13.60

 

$ 12.43

 

$ 13.92

 

Total Return, Based on NAV(1)(2)

 

5.06

%

(1.84

)%

8.85

%

(0.17

)%

12.83

%

Total Return, Based on Market Price(2)

 

10.76

%

(6.07

)%

16.38

%

(5.11

)%

13.78

%

Net Assets, End of Year (000s)

 

$84,384

 

$83,539

 

$89,670

 

$87,037

 

$92,088

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(3):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

 

1.23

%(4)

1.36

%

1.30

%

1.31

%

1.39

%

Net expenses

 

1.23

(4)(5)

1.36

(5)

1.30

 

1.31

 

1.39

 

Net investment income

 

5.72

 

5.77

 

5.81

 

6.18

 

6.30

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

36

%

23

%

64

%

48

%

67

%

Auction Rate Preferred Stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Amount Outstanding (000s)

 

$  45,000

 

$  45,000

 

$  45,000

 

$  45,000

 

$  45,000

 

Asset Coverage Per Share

 

143,760

 

142,821

 

149,633

 

146,708

 

152,320

 

Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Share

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

Average Market Value Per Share

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

(1)  Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

(2)  The total return calculation assumes that all distributions, are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

(3)  Ratios calculated on the basis of income and expenses relative to the average net assets of common shares and excludes the effect of dividend payments to preferred stockholders.

(4)  Included in the expense ratios are certain non-recurring restructuring (and reorganization, if applicable) fees that were incurred by the Fund during the period. Without these fees, the gross and net expense ratios would have remained unchanged.

(5)  Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14        Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report


 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. (formerly known as Salomon Brothers Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.) (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on June 21, 1993 and is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”). The Board of Directors authorized 100 million shares of $0.001 par value common stock. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income which is exempt from federal income taxes, consistent with the preservation of capital. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund intends to enhance portfolio value by purchasing tax exempt securities that, in the opinion of the investment manager, may appreciate in value relative to other similar obligations in the marketplace.

 

The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ.

 

(a) Investment Valuation. Securities are valued at the mean between the last quoted bid and asked prices provided by an independent pricing service that are based on transactions in municipal obligations, quotations from municipal bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities and various other relationships between securities. When prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect fair value, the Fund may value these securities at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. Short-term obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

 

(b) Concentration of Credit Risk. Since the Fund invests a portion of its assets in obligations of issuers located in a single state, it may be affected by economic and political developments in a specific state or region. Certain debt obligations held by the Fund are entitled to the benefit of insurance, standby letters of credit or other guarantees of banks or other financial institutions.

 

(c) Security Transactions and Investment Income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults on an expected interest payment, the Fund’s policy is to generally halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default.

 

(d) Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions from net investment income for the Fund, if any, are declared and paid on a monthly basis. The Fund intends to satisfy conditions that will enable interest from municipal securities, which is exempt from federal and certain state income taxes, to retain such tax-exempt status when distributed to the shareholders of the Fund. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are taxable and are declared at least annually. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report         15

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Distributions to preferred shareholders are accrued and paid on a weekly basis and are determined as described in Note 4.

 

(e) Federal and Other Taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders each year. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.

 

(f) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. During the current year, the following reclassifications have been made:

 

 

 

Undistributed Net
Investment Income

 

Accumulated Net
Realized Loss

 

(a)

 

$(2,308)

 

$2,308

 

(a)  Reclassifications are primarily due to differences between book and tax accretion of market discount on fixed income securities.

 

2.  Investment Management Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates

 

Prior to August 1, 2006, Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. (“SBAM”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”), acted as the investment manager of the Fund. Under the investment management agreement, the Fund paid an investment management fee calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund’s weekly average daily net assets. For purposes of calculating this fee, the liquidation value of any outstanding preferred stock of the Fund is not deducted in determining the Fund’s average net assets.

 

Effective August 1, 2006, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) became the Fund’s investment manager and Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”) became the Fund’s subadviser. The portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund remained the same immediately prior to and immediately after the date of these changes. LMPFA and Western Asset are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason.

 

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. LMPFA has delegated to the subadviser the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Fund’s investment management fee remains unchanged. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.

 

During the year ended June 30, 2007, the Fund was reimbursed for expenses in the amount of $2,388 for a portion of non-recurring payments to Directors.

 

Certain officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.

 

16        Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3.  Investments

 

During the year ended June 30, 2007, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

Purchases

 

$46,956,389

 

Sales

 

45,846,554

 

 

At June 30, 2007, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$2,219,268

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

 

(882,460

)

Net unrealized appreciation

 

$1,336,808

 

 

4.  Auction Rate Preferred Stock

 

On October 1, 1993, the Fund closed its public offering of 900 shares of $0.001 par value Auction Rate Preferred Stock, Series M (“Preferred Stock”) at an offering price of $50,000 per share. The Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $50,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) and subject to certain restrictions, are redeemable in whole or in part.

 

Dividend rates generally reset every 7 days and are determined by auction procedures. The dividend rates on the Preferred Stock during the year ended June 30, 2007 ranged from 3.23% to 4.50%. The weighted average dividend rate for the year ended June 30, 2007 was 3.70%.

 

The Fund is subject to certain restrictions relating to the Preferred Stock. The Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares of common stock or purchase any such shares if, at the time of the declaration, distribution or purchase, asset coverage with respect to the outstanding Preferred Stock would be less than 200%. The Preferred Stock is also subject to mandatory redemption at $50,000 per share plus any accumulated or unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, if certain requirements relating to the composition of the assets and liabilities of the Fund as set forth in its Articles Supplementary are not satisfied.

 

The Preferred Stock Shareholders are entitled to one vote per share and generally vote with the common shareholders but vote separately as a class to elect two directors and on certain matters affecting the rights of the Preferred Stock.

 

The issuance of Preferred Stock poses certain risks to holders of common stock, including, among others the possibility of greater market price volatility and in certain market conditions, the yield to holders of common stock may be adversely affected.

 

The Fund is required to maintain certain asset coverages with respect to the Preferred Stock. If the Fund fails to maintain these coverages and does not cure any such failure within the required time period, the Fund is required to redeem a requisite number of the Preferred Stock in order to meet the applicable requirement. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset coverage requirements would restrict the Fund’s ability to pay dividends to common shareholders.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report         17

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

5.  Distributions Subsequent to June 30, 2007

 

Common Stock Distributions. On July 11, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Fund declared a common share distribution, from net investment income, in the amount of $0.031 per share, payable on July 19, 2007 to shareholders of record on July 16, 2007.

 

6.  Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended June 30, was as follows:

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Distributions Paid From:

 

 

 

 

 

Tax-Exempt Income

 

$5,059,048

 

$5,889,209

 

 

As of June 30, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed tax-exempt income — net

 

$     23,026

 

Capital loss carryforward*

 

(181,443

)

Other book/tax temporary differences(a)

 

(44,964

)

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)(b)

 

1,336,808

 

Total accumulated earnings/(losses) — net

 

$1,133,427

 

*  The Fund had the following net loss carryforward remaining:

 

Year of Expiration

 

Amount

 

6/30/2008

 

$(116,646

)

6/30/2015

 

(64,797

)

 

 

$(181,443

)

 

These amounts will be available to offset any future taxable capital gains.

(a)  Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable primarily to the deferral of post-October capital losses for tax purposes.

(b)  The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the difference between book & tax accretion methods for market discount on fixed income securities.

 

7.  Other Matters

 

On September 16, 2005, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) informed Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”) and SBAM that the staff is considering recommending that the SEC institute administrative proceedings against SBFM and SBAM for alleged violations of Section 19(a) and 34(b) of the 1940 Act (and related Rule 19a-1). The notification is a result of an industry wide inspection by the SEC and is based upon alleged deficiencies in disclosures regarding dividends and distributions paid to shareholders of certain funds. Section 19(a) and related Rule 19a-1 of the 1940 Act generally require funds that are making dividend and distribution payments to provide shareholders with a written statement disclosing the source of the dividends and distributions, and, in particular, the portion of the payments made from each of net investment income, undistributed net profits and/or paid-in capital. In connection with the contemplated proceedings, the staff may seek a cease and desist order and/or monetary damages from SBFM or SBAM.

 

Although there can be no assurance, the Fund’s manager believes that this matter is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

 

18        Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

8.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

During June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation 48 (“FIN 48” or the “Interpretation”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement 109. FIN 48 supplements FASB Statement 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, by defining the confidence level that a tax position must meet in order to be recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a comprehensive model for how a fund should recognize, measure, present, and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the fund has taken or expects to take on a tax return. FIN 48 requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is “more likely than not” to be sustained based solely on its technical merits. Management must be able to conclude that the tax law, regulations, case law, and other objective information regarding the technical merits sufficiently support the position’s sustainability with a likelihood of more than 50 percent. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2006, which for this Fund will be July 1, 2007. At adoption, the financial statements must be adjusted to reflect only those tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained as of the adoption date. Management of the Fund has determined that adopting FIN 48 will not have a material impact on the Fund’s financial statements.

 

9.  Recent Developments

 

On May 21, 2007, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal in Department of Revenue of Kentucky v. Davis, a case concerning the validity of statutes that create a state tax exemption for interest from municipal securities. The Kentucky Court of Appeals had held that Kentucky’s statute, which provided an exemption for interest earned on municipal securities of Kentucky issuers while taxing interest earned on municipal securities of issuers in other states, violated the Interstate Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. If the Supreme Court were to adopt the reasoning of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, its decision would affect the state tax status of fund distributions. It is unclear how such a decision would affect the market for municipal securities, but it could adversely affect the value of securities held by the Fund, and therefore of the Fund’s shares. Such a decision could also prompt legislation at the state level that would have further impacts upon the taxability of Fund distributions and upon the market for municipal securities.

 

10.  Subsequent Event

 

On July 23, 2007, the Fund announced the completion of the merger of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. with and into Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. Effective with the opening of business on July 23, 2007, shareholders of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc., (which previously traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MPT”) became shareholders of Western Asset Municipal Partners Inc. (MNP). Each share of common stock of MPT converted into an equivalent dollar amount of full shares of common stock of MNP. The conversion ratio was calculated at 0.973323. MNP did not issue any fractional shares to MPT common shareholders. In lieu thereof, MNP purchased all fractional shares at the current net asset value of the shares and remitted the cash proceeds to former MPT common shareholders in the proportion of their fractional shares. In addition, each outstanding share of MPT Auction Rate Preferred Stock, Series M converted into one full share of MNP Auction Rate Preferred Stock, Series M.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report         19

 


 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.:

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. (formerly Salomon Brothers Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.) as of June 30, 2007, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the years in the two-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights for each of the years in the three-year period then ended June 30, 2005 were audited by other independent registered public accountants whose report thereon, dated August 22, 2005, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of June 30, 2007, by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. as of June 30, 2007, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

 

 

 

New York, New York
August 24, 2007

 

20        Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report

 


 

Additional Information (unaudited)

 

Information about Directors and Officers

 

The business and affairs of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. (formerly known as Salomon Brothers Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.) (“Fund”) are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Information pertaining to the Directors and Officers of the Fund is set forth below.

 

Name, Address and Birth Year

 

Position(s)
Held with
Fund(1)

 

Term of
Office(1) and
Length
of Time
Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
Five Years

 

Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Director
(including
the Fund)

 

Other Board
Memberships
Held by
Director

 

Non-Interested Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carol L. Colman
Colman Consulting Co.
278 Hawley Road
North Salem, NY 10560
Birth Year: 1946

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class II

 

Since
2003

 

President, Colman Consulting Co.

 

23

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel P. Cronin
c/o Chairman of the Fund
399 Park Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Birth Year: 1946

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class III

 

Since
2003

 

Formerly, Associate General Counsel, Pfizer Inc.

 

23

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paolo M. Cucchi
Drew University
108 Brothers College
Madison, NJ 07940
Birth Year: 1941

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class II

 

Since
2007

 

Vice President and Dean of College of Liberal Arts at Drew University

 

23

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leslie H. Gelb c/o
Chairman of the Fund
399 Park Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Birth Year: 1937

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I

 

Since
2000

 

President, Emeritus and Senior Board Fellow, The Council on Foreign Relations; Formerly, Columnist, Deputy Editorial Page Editor and Editor, Op-Ed Page, The New York Times

 

21

 

Director of two registered investment companies advised by Blackstone Asia Advisers, L.L.C. (“Blackstone Advisors”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William R. Hutchinson
535 N. Michigan Avenue
Suite 1012
Chicago, IL 60611
Birth Year: 1942

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I

 

Since
2003

 

President, W.R. Hutchinson & Associates Inc.; Formerly, Group Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions, BP Amoco p.l.c.

 

23

 

Associated Banc-Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Riordan Roett
The Johns Hopkins University
1740 Massachusetts Avenue,
NW
Washington, DC 20036
Birth Year: 1938

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I

 

Since
1997

 

Professor and Director, Latin American Studies Program, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University

 

21

 

None

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.        21

 


 

Additional Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

Name, Address and Birth Year

 

Position(s)
Held with
Fund(1)

 

Term of
Office(1) and
Length
of Time
Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
Five Years

 

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Director
(including
the Fund)

 

Other Board
Memberships
Held by
Director

 

Jeswald W. Salacuse
c/o Chairman of the Fund
399 Park Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Birth Year: 1938

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class III

 

Since
2000

 

Henry J. Braker Professor of Commercial Law and Formerly, Dean, The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University

 

19

 

Director of two registered investment companies advised by Blackstone Advisors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interested Director:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Jay Gerken, CFA(2)
Legg Mason & Co.,
LLC (“Legg Mason”)
399 Park Avenue
4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Birth Year: 1951

 

Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Class II

 

Since
2002

 

Managing Director of Legg Mason; Chairman of the Board and Trustee/Director of 151 funds associated with Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) and its affiliates; President of LMPFA (since 2006); Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason or its affiliates; Formerly, Chairman, Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”) and Citi Fund Management Inc. (“CFM”) (from 2002 to 2005) Formerly, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Travelers Investment Advisers Inc. (2002 to 2005)

 

134

 

Trustee, Consulting Group Capital Markets Funds (from 2002 to 2006)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Officers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kaprel Ozsolak
Legg Mason
125 Broad Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Birth Year: 1965

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Since
2007

 

Director of Legg Mason; Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason; Formerly, Controller of certain mutual funds associated with certain predecessor firms of Legg Mason (from 2002 to 2004)

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

22        Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.


 

Additional Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

Name, Address and Birth Year

 

Position(s)
Held with
Fund(1)

 

Term of
Office(1) and
Length
of Time
Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
Five Years

 

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Director
(including
the Fund)

 

Other Board
Memberships
Held by
Director

 

Ted P. Becker
Legg Mason
399 Park Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Birth Year: 1951

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since
2006

 

Director of Global Compliance at Legg Mason (since 2006); Managing Director of Compliance at Legg Mason (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer with certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (since 2006); Managing Director of Compliance at Legg Mason or its predecessors (from 2002 to 2005). Prior to 2002, Managing Director — Internal Audit & Risk Review at Citigroup Inc.

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert I. Frenkel
Legg Mason
300 First Stamford Place
4th Floor
Stamford, CT 06902
Birth Year: 1954

 

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

 

Since
2003

 

Managing Director and General Counsel of Global Mutual Funds for Legg Mason and its predecessors (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (since 2003); Formerly, Secretary of CFM (from 2001 to 2004)

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

(1)  The Fund’s Board of Directors is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The terms of office of the Class I, II and III Directors expire at the Annual Meetings of Stockholders in the year 2009, year 2008 and year 2007, respectively, or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The Fund’s executive officers are chosen each year by the Fund’s Board of Directors to hold office for a one-year term and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

(2)  Mr. Gerken is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act as amended, because Mr. Gerken is an officer of LMPFA and certain of its affiliates.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.        23


 

Annual Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certifications (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s CEO has submitted to the NYSE the required annual certification and, the Fund also has included the Certifications of the Fund’s CEO and CFO required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the Fund’s Form N-CSR filed with the SEC, for the period of this report.

 

24        Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.

 


 

Additional Shareholder Information (unaudited)

 

Results of a Special Meeting of Shareholders

 

On June 15, 2007, a Special Meeting of Shareholders was held to approve the merger of Western Asset Municipal Partners II Inc. (“MPT”) with and into Western Asset Municipal Partners Inc. (“MNP”). The following table provides the number of votes cast for, against or withheld, as well as the number of abstentions and broker non-votes as to the matter voted on at the Special Meeting of Shareholders.

 

Approval of Merger

 

Item Voted On

 

Common and
Preferred Shares
Voted For

 

Common and
Preferred Shares
Voted Against

 

Common and
Preferred Shares
Abstaining

 

Broker Non-Votes

 

Merger

 

3,394,679

 

44,481

 

27,358

 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.         25


 

Important Tax Information (unaudited)

 

All of the net investment income distributions paid monthly by the Fund during the taxable year ended June 30, 2007 qualify as tax-exempt interest dividends for Federal income tax purposes.

 

Please retain this information for your records.

 

26        Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.

 


 

 

Western Asset Municipal
Partners Fund II Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

DIRECTORS

WESTERN ASSET

 

Carol L. Colman

MUNICIPAL PARTNERS FUND II INC.

 

Daniel P. Cronin

125 Broad Street

 

Paolo M. Cucchi

10th Floor, MF-2

 

Leslie H. Gelb

New York, New York 10004

 

 

 

 

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

INVESTMENT MANAGER

 

Chairman

Legg Mason Partners Fund

 

William R. Hutchinson

Advisor, LLC

 

 

 

 

Dr. Riordan Roett

SUBADVISER

 

Jeswald W. Salacuse

Western Asset Management

 

 

Company

 

OFFICERS

 

 

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

CUSTODIAN

 

President and

State Street Bank and

 

Chief Executive Officer

Trust Company

 

 

225 Franklin Street

 

Kaprel Ozsolak

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

 

Chief Financial Officer and

 

 

Treasurer

TRANSFER AGENT

 

 

American Stock Transfer &

 

Ted P. Becker

Trust Company

 

Chief Compliance Officer

59 Maiden Lane

 

 

New York, New York 10038

 

Robert I. Frenkel

 

 

Secretary and

AUCTION AGENT

 

Chief Legal Officer

Deutsche Bank AG

 

 

60 Wall Street

 

 

New York, NY 10005

 

 

 

 

 

INDEPENDENT

 

 

REGISTERED PUBLIC

 

 

ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

KPMG LLP

 

 

345 Park Avenue

 

 

New York, New York 10154

 

 

 

 

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

 

Simpson Thacher &

 

 

Bartlett LLP

 

 

425 Lexington Avenue

 

 

New York, New York 10017

 

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK STOCK

 

 

EXCHANGE SYMBOL

 

 

MPT

 


 

This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.

American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038

WASX010072 6/07





                        

 

Western Asset Municipal
Partners Fund II Inc.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase, at market prices, shares of its common stock in the open market.

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q from the Fund, shareholders can call Shareholder Services 1-800-451-2010.

Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12—month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio transactions is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-451-2010, (2) on the Fund’s website at www.leggmason.com/InvestorServices and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 


 

ITEM 2.

 

CODE OF ETHICS.

 

 

 

 

 

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller.

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

 

 

 

 

 

The Board of Trustees of the registrant has determined that William R. Hutchinson, a member of the Board’s Audit Committee, possesses the technical attributes identified in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” and has designated Mr. Hutchinson as the Audit Committee’s financial expert. Mr. Hutchinson is an “independent” Trustee pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

 

 

a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the last two fiscal years ending June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2007 (the “Reporting Periods”) for professional services rendered by the Registrant’s principal accountant (the “Auditor”) for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $40,000 in 2006 performed by PwC and $42,000 in 2007 performed by KPMG. 

b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the Registrant’s financial statements were $8,255 in 2006 and $8,400 in 2007. These services consisted of procedures performed in connection with the review of Form N-14 (including pro-forma financial statements) and issuance of consent letter dated March 9, 2007.

In addition, there were no Audit-Related Fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. (“service affiliates”), that were reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit of the service affiliates. Accordingly, there were no such fees that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee for the Reporting Periods (prior to May 6, 2003 services provided by the Auditor were not required to be pre-approved).

(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by PwC and KPMG for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“Tax Services”) were $3,063 in 2006 performed by PwC and $2,650 in 2007 performed by KPMG. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held.

There were no fees billed for tax services by the Auditors to service affiliates during the Reporting Periods that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

d) All Other Fees. There were no other fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item for the Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.

All Other Fees. There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with SBFM that provided ongoing services to Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee in the Reporting Period.

(e) Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c) (7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(1) The Charter for the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of each registered investment company (the “Fund”) advised by Smith Barney Fund Management LLC or Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. or one of their affiliates (each, an “Adviser”) requires that the Committee shall approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Fund and (b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the Fund’s independent auditors to the Adviser and

 



 

any Covered Service Providers if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full Committee.

The Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the Committee believes may impair the independence of the auditors. As of the date of the approval of this Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to the Fund by the independent auditors, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.

Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and any service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Covered Service Providers”) constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent auditors during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) the Adviser and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.

(2) For the Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc., the percentage of fees that were approved by the audit committee, with respect to: Audit-Related Fees were 100% and 0% for 2006 and 2007; Tax Fees were 100% and 0% for 2006 and 2007; and Other Fees were 100% and 0% for 2006 and 2007.

(f) N/A

(g) Non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. and CAM and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with CAM that provides ongoing services to Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. during the reporting period were $0 in 2007.

(h) Yes. Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates, which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval), is compatible with maintaining the Accountant’s independence. All services provided by the Auditor to the Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. or to Service Affiliates, which were required to be pre-approved, were pre-approved as required.

 



 

ITEM 5.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

 

 

 

 

 

a) Registrant has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a) 58(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee consists of the following Board members:

 

 

 

 

 

William R. Hutchinson

 

 

Paolo M. Cucchi

 

 

Daniel P. Cronin

 

 

Carol L. Colman

 

 

Leslie H. Gelb

 

 

Dr. Riordan Roett

 

 

Jeswald W. Salacuse

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

 

 

 

 

 

Included herein under Item 1.

 

 

 

ITEM 7.

 

DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

Proxy Voting Guidelines and Procedures

Although individual trustees may not agree with particular policies or votes by the manager or subadvisers, the Board has delegated proxy voting discretion to the manager and/or the subadvisers, believing that the manager and/or the subadvisers should be responsible for voting because it is a matter relating to the investment decision making process. LMPFA delegates the responsibility for voting proxies for the fund to the subadvisers through its contracts with the subadvisers. The subadvisers will use their own proxy voting policies and procedures to vote proxies. Accordingly, LMPFA does not expect to have proxy-voting responsibility for the fund. Should LMPFA become responsible for voting proxies for any reason, such as the inability of a subadviser to provide investment advisory services, LMPFA shall utilize the proxy voting guidelines established by the most recent subadviser to vote proxies until a new subadviser is retained. In the case of a material conflict between the interests of LMPFA (or its affiliates if such conflict is known to persons responsible for voting at LMPFA) and the fund, the board of trustees of LMPFA shall consider how to address the conflict and/or how to vote the proxies. LMPFA shall maintain records of all proxy votes in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations, to the extent that LMPFA votes proxies. LMPFA shall be responsible for gathering relevant documents and records related to proxy voting from the subadvisers and providing them to the fund as required for the fund to comply with applicable rules under the 1940 Act. The subadvisers’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures govern in determining how proxies relating to the fund’s portfolio securities are voted and are attached as Appendix A to this SAI. Information regarding how each fund voted proxies (if any) relating to

 



 

portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (1) by calling 888-425-6432, (2) on the fund’s website at http://www.leggmason.com/ InvestorServices and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Background

An investment adviser is required to adopt and implement policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with fiduciary duties and SEC Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). The authority to vote the proxies of our clients is established through investment management agreements or comparable documents. In addition to SEC requirements governing advisers, long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities have been established for ERISA accounts. Unless a manager of ERISA assets has been expressly precluded from voting proxies, the Department of Labor has determined that the responsibility for these votes lies with the investment manager.

 

Policy

As a fixed income only manager, the occasion to vote proxies is very rare. However, the Firm has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with our fiduciary duties and SEC Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). In addition to SEC requirements governing advisers, our proxy voting policies reflect the long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts. Unless a manager of ERISA assets has been expressly precluded from voting proxies, the Department of Labor has determined that the responsibility for these votes lies with the Investment Manager.

 

While the guidelines included in the procedures are intended to provide a benchmark for voting standards, each vote is ultimately cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the Firm’s contractual obligations to our clients and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote (such that these guidelines may be overridden to the extent the Firm deems appropriate).

 

In exercising its voting authority, Western Asset will not consult or enter into agreements with officers, directors or employees of Legg Mason Inc. or any of its affiliates (other than Western Asset Management Company Limited) regarding the voting of any securities owned by its clients.

 

Procedure

Responsibility and Oversight

The Western Asset Legal and Compliance Department (“Compliance Department”) is responsible for administering and overseeing the proxy voting process. The gathering of proxies is coordinated through the Corporate Actions area of Investment Support (“Corporate Actions”). Research analysts and portfolio managers are responsible for determining appropriate voting positions on each proxy utilizing any applicable guidelines contained in these procedures.

 

Client Authority

At account start-up, or upon amendment of an IMA, the applicable client IMA are similarly reviewed. If an agreement is silent on proxy voting, but contains an overall delegation of discretionary authority or if the account represents assets of an ERISA plan, Western Asset will assume responsibility for proxy voting. The Client Account Transition Team maintains a matrix of proxy voting authority.

 

Proxy Gathering

Registered owners of record, client custodians, client banks and trustees (“Proxy Recipients”) that receive proxy materials on behalf of clients should forward them to Corporate Actions. Proxy Recipients for new clients (or, if Western Asset becomes aware that the applicable Proxy Recipient for an existing client has changed, the Proxy Recipient for the existing client) are notified at start-up of appropriate routing to Corporate Actions of proxy materials received and reminded of their responsibility to forward all proxy materials on a timely basis. If Western Asset personnel other than Corporate Actions receive proxy materials, they should promptly forward the materials to Corporate Actions.

 



 

Proxy Voting

Once proxy materials are received by Corporate Actions, they are forwarded to the Legal and Compliance Department for coordination and the following actions:

 

a. Proxies are reviewed to determine accounts impacted.

b. Impacted accounts are checked to confirm Western Asset voting authority.

c. Legal and Compliance Department staff reviews proxy issues to determine any material conflicts of interest. (See conflicts of interest section of these procedures for further information on determining material conflicts of interest.)

d. If a material conflict of interest exists, (i) to the extent reasonably practicable and permitted by applicable law, the client is promptly notified, the conflict is disclosed and Western Asset obtains the client’s proxy voting instructions, and (ii) to the extent that it is not reasonably practicable or permitted by applicable law to notify the client and obtain such instructions (e.g., the client is a mutual fund or other commingled vehicle or is an ERISA plan client), Western Asset seeks voting instructions from an independent third party.

e. Legal and Compliance Department staff provides proxy material to the appropriate research analyst or portfolio manager to obtain their recommended vote. Research analysts and portfolio managers determine votes on a case-by-case basis taking into account the voting guidelines contained in these procedures. For avoidance of doubt, depending on the best interest of each individual client, Western Asset may vote the same proxy differently for different clients. The analyst’s or portfolio manager’s basis for their decision is documented and maintained by the Legal and Compliance Department.

f. Legal and Compliance Department staff votes the proxy pursuant to the instructions received in (d) or (e) and returns the voted proxy as indicated in the proxy materials.

Timing Western Asset personnel act in such a manner to ensure that, absent special circumstances, the proxy gathering and proxy voting steps noted above can be completed before the applicable deadline for returning proxy votes.

 

Recordkeeping

Western Asset maintains records of proxies voted pursuant to Section 204-2 of the Advisers Act and ERISA DOL Bulletin 94-2. These records include:

a. A copy of Western Asset’s policies and procedures.

b. Copies of proxy statements received regarding client securities.

c. A copy of any document created by Western Asset that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies.

d. Each written client request for proxy voting records and Western Asset’s written response to both verbal and written client requests.

e. A proxy log including:

1. Issuer name;

2. Exchange ticker symbol of the issuer’s shares to be voted;

3. Council on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the shares to be voted;

4. A brief identification of the matter voted on;

5. Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a shareholder of the issuer;

6. Whether a vote was cast on the matter;

7. A record of how the vote was cast; and

8. Whether the vote was cast for or against the recommendation of the issuer’s management team.

 

Records are maintained in an easily accessible place for five years, the first two in Western Asset’s offices.

 

Disclosure

Western Asset’s proxy policies are described in the firm’s Part II of Form ADV. Clients will be provided a copy of these policies and procedures upon request. In addition, upon request, clients may receive reports on how their proxies have been voted.

 

Conflicts of Interest

All proxies are reviewed by the Legal and Compliance Department for material conflicts of interest. Issues to be reviewed include, but are not limited to:

1. Whether Western (or, to the extent required to be considered by applicable law, its affiliates) manages assets for the company or an employee group of the company or otherwise has an interest in the company;

 



 

2. Whether Western or an officer or director of Western or the applicable portfolio manager or analyst responsible for recommending the proxy vote (together, “Voting Persons”) is a close relative of or has a personal or business relationship with an executive, director or person who is a candidate for director of the company or is a participant in a proxy contest; and

3. Whether there is any other business or personal relationship where a Voting Person has a personal interest in the outcome of the matter before shareholders.

 

Voting Guidelines

Western Asset’s substantive voting decisions turn on the particular facts and circumstances of each proxy vote and are evaluated by the designated research analyst or portfolio manager. The examples outlined below are meant as guidelines to aid in the decision making process.

Guidelines are grouped according to the types of proposals generally presented to shareholders. Part I deals with proposals which have been approved and are recommended by a company’s board of directors; Part II deals with proposals submitted by shareholders for inclusion in proxy statements; Part III addresses issues relating to voting shares of investment companies; and Part IV addresses unique considerations pertaining to foreign issuers.

 

I. Board Approved Proposals

The vast majority of matters presented to shareholders for a vote involve proposals made by a company itself that have been approved and recommended by its board of directors. In view of the enhanced corporate governance practices currently being implemented in public companies, Western Asset generally votes in support of decisions reached by independent boards of directors. More specific guidelines related to certain board-approved proposals are as follows:

 

1. Matters relating to the Board of Directors

Western Asset votes proxies for the election of the company’s nominees for directors and for board-approved proposals on other matters relating to the board of directors with the following exceptions:

a. Votes are withheld for the entire board of directors if the board does not have a majority of independent directors or the board does not have nominating, audit and compensation committees composed solely of independent directors.

b. Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who is considered an independent director by the company and who has received compensation from the company other than for service as a director.

c. Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who attends less than 75% of board and committee meetings without valid reasons for absences.

d. Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors.

 

2. Matters relating to Executive Compensation

Western Asset generally favors compensation programs that relate executive compensation to a company’s long-term performance. Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals relating to executive compensation, except as follows:

a. Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for stock option plans that will result in a minimal annual dilution.

b. Western Asset votes against stock option plans or proposals that permit replacing or repricing of underwater options.

c. Western Asset votes against stock option plans that permit issuance of options with an exercise price below the stock’s current market price.

d. Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for employee stock purchase plans that limit the discount for shares purchased under the plan to no more than 15% of their market value, have an offering period of 27 months or less and result in dilution of 10% or less.

 

3. Matters relating to Capitalization

The management of a company’s capital structure involves a number of important issues, including cash flows, financing needs and market conditions that are unique to the circumstances of each company. As a result, Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals involving changes to a company’s capitalization except where Western Asset is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

a. Western Asset votes for proposals relating to the authorization of additional common stock.

b. Western Asset votes for proposals to effect stock splits (excluding reverse stock splits).

c. Western Asset votes for proposals authorizing share repurchase programs.

 



 

4. Matters relating to Acquisitions, Mergers, Reorganizations and Other Transactions

Western Asset votes these issues on a case-by-case basis on board-approved transactions.

 

5. Matters relating to Anti-Takeover Measures

Western Asset votes against board-approved proposals to adopt anti-takeover measures except as follows:

a. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to ratify or approve shareholder rights plans.

b. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to adopt fair price provisions.

 

6. Other Business Matters

Western Asset votes for board-approved proposals approving such routine business matters such as changing the company’s name, ratifying the appointment of auditors and procedural matters relating to the shareholder meeting.

a. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to amend a company’s charter or bylaws.

b. Western Asset votes against authorization to transact other unidentified, substantive business at the meeting.

 

II. Shareholder Proposals

SEC regulations permit shareholders to submit proposals for inclusion in a company’s proxy statement. These proposals generally seek to change some aspect of a company’s corporate governance structure or to change some aspect of its business operations. Western Asset votes in accordance with the recommendation of the company’s board of directors on all shareholder proposals, except as follows:

1. Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals to require shareholder approval of shareholder rights plans.

2. Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that are consistent with Western Asset’s proxy voting guidelines for board-approved proposals.

3. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on other shareholder proposals where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

 

III. Voting Shares of Investment Companies

Western Asset may utilize shares of open or closed-end investment companies to implement its investment strategies. Shareholder votes for investment companies that fall within the categories listed in Parts I and II above are voted in accordance with those guidelines.

1. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to changes in the investment objectives of an investment company taking into account the original intent of the fund and the role the fund plays in the clients’ portfolios.

2. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis all proposals that would result in increases in expenses (e.g., proposals to adopt 12b-1 plans, alter investment advisory arrangements or approve fund mergers) taking into account comparable expenses for similar funds and the services to be provided.

 

IV. Voting Shares of Foreign Issuers

In the event Western Asset is required to vote on securities held in non-U.S. issuers – i.e. issuers that are incorporated under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and that are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ stock market, the following guidelines are used, which are premised on the existence of a sound corporate governance and disclosure framework. These guidelines, however, may not be appropriate under some circumstances for foreign issuers and therefore apply only where applicable.

1. Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals calling for a majority of the directors to be independent of management.

2. Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals seeking to increase the independence of board nominating, audit and compensation committees.

3. Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that implement corporate governance standards similar to those established under U.S. federal law and the listing requirements of U.S. stock exchanges, and that do not otherwise violate the laws of the jurisdiction under which the company is incorporated.

4. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to (1) the issuance of common stock in excess of 20% of a company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders do not have preemptive rights, or (2) the issuance of common stock in excess of 100% of a company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders have preemptive rights.

 



 

ITEM 8.

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

 

 

(a)(1):

 

NAME AND ADDRESS

 

LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED

 

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING
PAST 5 YEARS

 

 

 

 

 

S. Kenneth Leech Western Asset
385 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101

 

Since 2006

 

Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset since 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen A. Walsh Western Asset
385 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101

 

Since 2006

 

Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Deputy Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset since 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

Robert E. Amodeo Western Asset
399 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022

 

Since 2007

 

Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Portfolio Manager of Western Asset; investment officer of certain other investment companies associated with Legg Mason or its affiliates.

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph P. Deane Western Asset
399 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022

 

Since 1993

 

Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Portfolio Manager of Western Asset; investment officer of certain other investment companies associated with Legg Mason or its affiliates.

 

 

 

 

 

David T. Fare Western Asset
399 Park Avenue New York, NY 10022

 

Since 2004

 

Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Portfolio Manager of Western Asset; investment officer of certain other investment companies associated with Legg Mason or its affiliates.

 



 

 

 

(a)(2): DATA TO BE PROVIDED BY FINANCIAL CONTROL

 

 

 

 

 

The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect to the fund’s portfolio managers for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of June 30 , 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers

 

 

 

 

 

     The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the fund) for

 



 

which the fund’s portfolio managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance is also indicated.

 

Portfolio
Manager(s)

 

Registered
Investment
Companies

 

Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles

 

Other
Accounts

S. Kenneth Leech

 

114 registered investment companies with $108.8 billion in total assets under management

 

128 Other pooled investment vehicles with $191.01 billion in assets under management

 

982 Other accounts with $284.05 billion in total assets under management*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen A. Walsh

 

114 registered investment companies with $108.8 billion in total assets under management

 

128 Other pooled investment vehicles with $191.01 billion in assets under management

 

982 Other accounts with $284.05 billion in total assets under management*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert E. Amodeo

 

24 registered investment companies with $19.5 billion in total assets under management

 

1 Other pooled investment vehicle with $7.9 billion in assets under management

 

22 Other accounts with $1.9 billion in total assets under management**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph P. Deane

 

24 registered investment companies with $19.5 billion in total assets under management

 

1 Other pooled investment vehicle with $7.9 billion in assets under management

 

22 Other accounts with $1.9 billion in total assets under management**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David T. Fare

 

24 registered investment companies with $19.5 billion in total assets under management

 

1 Other pooled investment vehicle with $7.9 billion in assets under management

 

22 Other accounts with $1.9 billion in total assets under management**

 


*                             Includes 99 accounts managed, totaling $33.7 billion, for which advisory fee is performance based.

**                      Includes 1 account managed, totaling $329.4 million, for which advisory fee is performance based.

 

‡ The numbers above reflect the overall number of portfolios managed by employees of Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”). Mr. Leech and Mr. Walsh are involved in the management of all the Firm’s portfolios, but they are not solely responsible for particular portfolios. Western Asset’s investment discipline emphasizes a team approach that combines the efforts of groups of specialists working in different market sectors. They are responsible for overseeing implementation of Western Asset’s overall investment ideas and coordinating the work of the various sector teams. This structure ensures that client portfolios benefit from a consensus that draws on the expertise of all team members.

 

(a)(3): Portfolio Manager Compensation

 

With respect to the compensation of the portfolio managers, the Advisers’ compensation system assigns each employee a total compensation “target” and a respective cap, which are derived from annual market surveys that benchmark each role with their job function and peer

 



 

universe. This method is designed to reward employees with total compensation reflective of the external market value of their skills, experience, and ability to produce desired results.

 

Standard compensation includes competitive base salaries, generous employee benefits, and a retirement plan.

 

In addition, employees are eligible for bonuses. These are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the Advisers, and are determined by the professional’s job function and performance as measured by a formal review process. All bonuses are completely discretionary. One of the principal factors considered is a portfolio manager’s investment performance versus appropriate peer groups and benchmarks. Because portfolio managers are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the Portfolio) with similar investment strategies, they are compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of similar accounts, rather than a specific account. A smaller portion of a bonus payment is derived from factors that include client service, business development, length of service to the Adviser, management or supervisory responsibilities, contributions to developing business strategy and overall contributions to the Adviser’s business.

 

Finally, in order to attract and retain top talent, all professionals are eligible for additional incentives in recognition of outstanding performance. These are determined based upon the factors described above and include Legg Mason, Inc. stock options and long-term incentives that vest over a set period of time past the award date.

 

Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

Potential conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple accounts (including accounts managed in a personal capacity). These could include potential conflicts of interest related to the knowledge and timing of a Portfolio’s trades, investment opportunities and broker selection. Portfolio managers may be privy to the size, timing and possible market impact of a Portfolio’s trades.

 

It is possible that an investment opportunity may be suitable for both a Portfolio and other accounts managed by a portfolio manager, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the Portfolio and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by a Portfolio and another account. A conflict may arise where the portfolio manager may have an incentive to treat an account preferentially as compared to a Portfolio because the account pays a performance-based fee or the portfolio manager, the Advisers or an affiliate has an interest in the account. The Advisers have adopted procedures for allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities across multiple client accounts on a fair and equitable basis over time. All eligible accounts that can participate in a trade share the same price on a pro-rata allocation basis in an attempt to mitigate any conflict of interest. Trades are allocated among similarly managed accounts to maintain consistency of portfolio strategy, taking into account cash availability, investment restrictions and guidelines, and portfolio composition versus strategy.

 

With respect to securities transactions for the Portfolios, the Advisers determine which broker or dealer to use to execute each order, consistent with their duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts (such as pooled investment vehicles that are not registered investment companies and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the Advisers may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or dealers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker or dealer. In these cases, trades for a Portfolio in a particular security may be placed

 



 

separately from, rather than aggregated with, such other accounts. Having separate transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible detriment of a Portfolio or the other account(s) involved. Additionally, the management of multiple Portfolios and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each Portfolio and/or other account.

 

It is theoretically possible that portfolio managers could use information to the advantage of other accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of a Portfolio. For example, a portfolio manager could short sell a security for an account immediately prior to a Portfolio’s sale of that security. To address this conflict, the Advisers have adopted procedures for reviewing and comparing selected trades of alternative investment accounts (which may make directional trades such as short sales) with long only accounts (which include the Portfolios) for timing and pattern related issues. Trading decisions for alternative investment and long only accounts may not be identical even though the same Portfolio Manager may manage both types of accounts. Whether the Adviser allocates a particular investment opportunity to only alternative investment accounts or to alternative investment and long only accounts will depend on the investment strategy being implemented. If, under the circumstances, an investment opportunity is appropriate for both its alternative investment and long only accounts, then it will be allocated to both on a pro-rata basis.

 

A portfolio manager may also face other potential conflicts of interest in managing a Portfolio, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist in managing both a Portfolio and the other accounts listed above.

 

(a)(4): Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership

 

The table below identifies the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by each portfolio managers as of June 30, 2007.

 

Portfolio Manager(s)

 

Dollar Range of
Portfolio Securities
Beneficially Owned

S. Kenneth Leech

 

None

Stephen A. Walsh

 

None

Robert E. Amodeo

 

None

Joseph P. Dean

 

None

David T. Fare

 

None

 

ITEM 9.

 

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

 

 

 

 

 

None.

 

 

 

ITEM 10.

 

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

 

 

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

ITEM 11.

 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal half-year (the registrant’s second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

ITEM 12.

 

EXHIBITS.

 

 

 

 

 

(a) (1)Code of Ethics attached hereto.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.CODE ETH

 

 

 

 

 

(a) (2)  Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.CERT

 

 

 

 

 

(b)  Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.906.CERT

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

 

 

 

R. Jay Gerken

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.

 

Date:   August 29, 2007

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:

 

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

 

 

 

(R. Jay Gerken)

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.

 

Date:   August 29, 2007

 

By:

 

/s/ Kaprel Ozsolak

 

 

 

(Kaprel Ozsolak)

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc.

 

Date:   August 29, 2007