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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 811-07362

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10018

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

George P. Hoyt

Franklin Templeton

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-888-777-0102

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

Date of reporting period: May 31, 2023

 

 

 


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ITEM 1.

REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.


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LOGO

 

Semi-Annual Report   May 31, 2023

WESTERN ASSET

MUNICIPAL PARTNERS FUND INC. (MNP)

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

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


Table of Contents
What’s inside      
Letter from the chairman     III  
Performance review     V  
Fund at a glance     1  
Schedule of investments     2  
Statement of assets and liabilities     21  
Statement of operations     22  
Statements of changes in net assets     23  
Statement of cash flows     24  
Financial highlights     25  
Notes to financial statements     28  
Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements     40  
Additional shareholder information     46  
Dividend reinvestment plan     47  

Fund objectives

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income which is exempt from regular 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.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests substantially all of its assets in a diversified portfolio of tax-exempt securities that are rated investment grade at the time of purchase by at least one rating agency or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable credit quality by the subadviser, and that the subadviser believes do not involve undue risk to income or principal.

 

*

Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), and state and local taxes will apply. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax or legal adviser.

 

 

II

   Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.


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Letter from the chairman

 

LOGO

 

Dear Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide the semi-annual report of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. for the six-month reporting period ended May 31, 2023. Please read on for Fund performance information during the Fund’s reporting period.

Special shareholder notice

On February 13, 2023, the Fund and Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. (NYSE: MMU) announced approval by each fund’s Board of Directors of a proposal to merge the Fund with and into MMU, subject to approval by the stockholders of each fund. If approved, the merger is anticipated to occur during the third quarter of 2023.

If the proposed merger is approved by the stockholders of each fund, (i) common stockholders of the Fund would receive common stock of MMU, based on the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share, (ii) holders of the Fund’s variable rate demand preferred stock (“VRDPS”) would receive shares of VRDPS of MMU with the same aggregate liquidation preference and terms to their Fund VRDPS, and (iii) holders of the Fund’s auction rate preferred stock (“ARPS”) would have their shares redeemed in accordance with their terms in advance of the closing of the merger. Any redemption of ARPS will be contingent upon stockholder approval of the merger. In lieu of issuing fractional shares of common stock, MMU will pay cash to each former common stockholder of the Fund in an amount equal to the value of the fractional shares of MMU common stock that the investor would otherwise have received in the merger.

As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.franklintempleton.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:

 

 

Fund prices and performance,

 

 

Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and

 

 

A host of educational resources.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.  

 

III


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Letter from the chairman (cont’d)

 

We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Jane Trust, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

June 30, 2023

 

 

IV

   Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.


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Performance review

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2023, Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. returned 2.27% based on its net asset value (“NAV”)i and -4.39% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmark, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Indexii, returned 1.94% for the same period.

Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, and state and local taxes will apply. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax or legal adviser.

The Fund has a practice of seeking to maintain a relatively stable level of distributions to shareholders. This practice has no impact on the Fund’s investment strategy and may reduce the Fund’s NAV. The Fund’s manager believes the practice helps maintain the Fund’s competitiveness and may benefit the Fund’s market price and premium/discount to the Fund’s NAV.

During this six-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.26 per share. As of May 31, 2023, the Fund estimates that 71% of the distributions were sourced from net investment income and 29% constituted return of capital.* The performance table shows the Fund’s six-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of May 31, 2023. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

Performance Snapshot as of May 31, 2023  (unaudited)  
Price Per Share   6-Month
Total Return**
 
$13.64 (NAV)     2.27 %† 
$11.50 (Market Price)     -4.l39 %‡ 

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized.

** Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.

† Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at NAV.

‡ Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

 

*

These estimates are not for tax purposes. The Fund will issue a Form 1099 with final composition of the distributions for tax purposes after year-end. A return of capital is not taxable and results in a reduction in the tax basis of a shareholder’s investment. For more information about a distribution’s composition, please refer to the Fund’s distribution press release or, if applicable, the Section 19 notice located in the press release section of our website, www.franklintempleton.com.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.  

 

v


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Performance review (cont’d)

 

Looking for additional information?

The Fund is traded under the symbol “MNP” and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available online under the symbol “XMNPX” on most financial websites. Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal’s Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.franklintempleton.com.

In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.

Thank you for your investment in Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Fund’s investment goals.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Jane Trust, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

June 30, 2023

 

RISKS: The Fund is a diversified closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Similar to stocks, the Fund’s share price will fluctuate with market conditions and at the time of sale, may be worth more or less than the original investment. Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Diversification does not assure against market loss. The Fund’s investments are subject to a number of risks, including interest rate risk, credit risk, leveraging risk and management risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the Fund’s fixed income securities. The Fund may invest in lower-rated high-yield bonds or “junk bonds”, which are subject to greater liquidity and credit risk (risk of default) than higher-rated obligations. Municipal securities purchased by the Fund may be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of municipal issuers and insurers, regulatory and political developments, uncertainties and public perceptions, and other factors. The Fund may use derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies. To the extent it does, Fund stockholders will indirectly pay a portion of the operating costs of such

 

 

VI

   Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.


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companies, in addition to the expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operation. Investing in securities issued by other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) that invest primarily in municipal securities, involves risks similar to those of investing directly in the securities in which those investment companies invest. Leverage may result in greater volatility of NAV and the market price of common shares and increases a shareholder’s risk of loss. The Fund may enter into tender option bond (“TOB”) transactions, which expose the Fund to leverage and credit risk, and generally involve greater risk than investments in fixed rate municipal bonds, including the risk of loss of principal. The interest payments that the Fund would typically receive on inverse floaters acquired in such transactions vary inversely with short-term interest rates and will be reduced (and potentially eliminated) when short-term interest rates increase. Inverse floaters will generally underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities when interest rates rise. The value and market for inverse floaters can be volatile, and inverse floaters can have limited liquidity. Investments in inverse floaters issued in TOB transactions are derivative instruments and, therefore, are also subject to the risks generally applicable to investments in derivatives. The market values of securities or other assets will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, due to changes in general market conditions, overall economic trends or events, governmental actions or intervention, actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks, market disruptions caused by trade disputes or other factors, political developments, armed conflicts, economic sanctions and countermeasures in response to sanctions, major cybersecurity events, investor sentiment, the global and domestic effects of a pandemic, and other factors that may or may not be related to the issuer of the security or other asset. The Fund may also invest in money market funds, including funds affiliated with the Fund’s manager and subadviser.

All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

i

Net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities, including liabilities associated with financial leverage (if any), from the closing value of all securities held by the Fund (plus all other assets) and dividing the result (total net assets) by the total number of the common shares outstanding. The NAV fluctuates with changes in the market prices of securities in which the Fund has invested. However, the price at which an investor may buy or sell shares of the Fund is the Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares.

 

ii

The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is a market value weighted index of investment grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or more.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.  

 

VII


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Fund at a glance (unaudited)

 

Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments

 

LOGO

 

The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of May 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.

 

Represents less than 0.1%.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

 

1

 


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Schedule of investments (unaudited)

May 31, 2023

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  
Municipal Bonds — 151.6%                                

Alabama — 1.5%

                               

Alabama State Corrections Institution Finance Authority Revenue, Series A

    5.250     7/1/52     $ 750,000     $ 805,635  

Black Belt Energy Gas District, AL, Gas Project Revenue Bonds, Project #6, Series B

    4.000     12/1/26       150,000       148,381  (a)(b) 

Hoover, AL, IDA Revenue, United States Steel Corp. Project, Series 2019

    5.750     10/1/49       200,000       202,519  (c)  

Southeast Alabama Gas Supply District, Gas Supply Revenue, Project #2, Series A

    4.000     6/1/24       850,000       848,933  (a)(b) 

Total Alabama

                            2,005,468  

Alaska — 0.9%

                               

Alaska State Housing Finance Corp. Revenue, State Capital Project II, Series B

    5.000     12/1/39       245,000       261,093  

Anchorage, AK, Port Revenue, Series A

    5.000     12/1/50       300,000       302,683  (c)  

Northern Tobacco Securitization Corp., AK, Tobacco Settlement Revenue:

                               

Asset Backed Senior Bonds, Class 1, Series A, Refunding

    4.000     6/1/39       500,000       477,519  

Asset Backed Senior Bonds, Class 1, Series A, Refunding

    4.000     6/1/50       250,000       218,883  

Total Alaska

                            1,260,178  

Arizona — 3.0%

                               

Chandler, AZ, IDA Revenue, Intel Corp. Project

    5.000     6/3/24       1,650,000       1,660,931  (a)(b)(c) 

Navajo Nation, AZ, Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.500     12/1/30       275,000       284,451  (d)  

Salt Verde, AZ, Financial Corp., Natural Gas Revenue, Series 2007

    5.000     12/1/32       2,000,000       2,087,781  

Total Arizona

                            4,033,163  

Arkansas — 0.2%

                               

Arkansas State Development Finance Authority Revenue, United States Steel Corporation Project, Green Bonds

    5.700     5/1/53       250,000       251,250  (c)  

California — 15.8%

                               

Alameda, CA, Corridor Transportation Authority Revenue:

                               

Convertible CAB, Series C, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     10/1/52       600,000       645,049  

Second Subordinated Lien, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/34       500,000       515,072  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

2

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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

California — continued

                               

Bay Area Toll Authority, CA, Toll Bridge Revenue, San Francisco Bay Area, Series B-1 (SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 1.100%)

    4.510     4/1/24     $ 2,500,000     $ 2,504,788  (a)(b) 

California State Community Choice Financing Authority Revenue:

                               

Clean Energy Project, Green Bonds, Series A-1

    4.000     8/1/28       150,000       149,655  (a)(b) 

Clean Energy Project, Green Bonds, Series B-1

    5.000     8/1/29       700,000       734,404  (a)(b) 

California State MFA Revenue, Senior Lien, LINXS APM Project, Series A

    5.000     12/31/43       1,000,000       1,013,813  (c) 

California State PCFA Water Furnishing Revenue, Poseidon Resources Desalination Project

    5.000     11/21/45       1,000,000       994,639  (c)(d) 

Eastern Municipal Water District Financing Authority, CA, Water & Wastewater Revenue, Series D

    5.000     7/1/47       1,000,000       1,058,174  

Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water & Power, Power System Revenue, Series A

    5.000     7/1/42       1,000,000       1,053,503  

M-S-R Energy Authority, CA, Natural Gas Revenue:

                               

Series B

    7.000     11/1/34       2,490,000       2,995,570  

Series C

    6.500     11/1/39       2,000,000       2,324,268  

Northern California Energy Authority, Commodity Supply Revenue, Series A

    4.000     7/1/24       500,000       502,091  (a)(b) 

Rancho Cucamonga, CA, RDA, Rancho Redevelopment Project Area, AGM

    5.000     9/1/30       750,000       769,767  

River Islands, CA, Public Financing Authority, Special Tax Revenue, Community Facilities District No. 2003-1

    5.750     9/1/52       400,000       387,532  

Riverside, CA, Electric Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/48       750,000       803,896  

San Bernardino, CA, USD Revenue, COP, 2019 School Financing Project, AGM

    5.000     10/1/38       300,000       323,069  

San Francisco, CA, City & County Airport Commission, International Airport Revenue, Second Series A, Refunding

    5.000     5/1/47       1,500,000       1,523,980  (c) 

Sanger, CA, USD Revenue, COP, Capital Projects, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     6/1/49       250,000       257,211  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

3


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Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

May 31, 2023

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

California — continued

                               

Tobacco Securitization Authority of Southern California Revenue, Asset Backed Refunding, San Diego County Tobacco Asset Securitization Corporation, Class 1, Series A

    5.000     6/1/48     $ 300,000     $ 310,928  

Tulare, CA, Sewer Revenue, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     11/15/41       2,000,000       2,073,776  

Total California

                            20,941,185  

Colorado — 4.3%

                               

Base Village Metropolitan District #2, CO, GO, Series A, Refunding

    5.750     12/1/46       500,000       500,827  

Colorado State Health Facilities Authority Revenue:

                               

Commonspirit Health Initiatives, Series B-2

    5.000     8/1/26       300,000       308,772  (a)(b)  

Commonspirit Health Project, Series A-2

    4.000     8/1/49       600,000       540,480  

Colorado State High Performance Transportation Enterprise Revenue, C-470 Express Lanes

    5.000     12/31/51       200,000       199,087  

Public Authority for Colorado Energy, Natural Gas Purchase Revenue

    6.500     11/15/38       3,500,000       4,097,999  

Total Colorado

                            5,647,165  

Connecticut — 2.0%

                               

Connecticut State Special Tax Revenue, Transportation Infrastructure, Series A

    5.000     1/1/37       500,000       533,149  

Connecticut State, GO:

                               

Series A

    4.000     4/15/37       500,000       508,210  

Series E

    5.000     10/15/34       270,000       284,450  

Harbor Point, CT, Infrastructure Improvement District, Special Obligation Revenue, Harbor Point Project Ltd., Refunding

    5.000     4/1/39       250,000       248,222  (d)  

University of Connecticut, Student Fee Revenue, Series A

    5.000     11/15/43       1,000,000       1,057,557  

Total Connecticut

                            2,631,588  

Delaware — 0.4%

                               

Delaware State Health Facilities Authority Revenue, Beebe Medical Center Project

    5.000     6/1/48       500,000       506,932  

District of Columbia — 0.6%

                               

District of Columbia Revenue, KIPP DC Issue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/37       800,000       813,740  

Florida — 10.5%

                               

Broward County, FL, Airport System Revenue:

                               

Series 2017

    5.000     10/1/47       350,000       356,128  (c)  

Series A

    5.000     10/1/45       1,000,000       1,004,548  (c)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

4

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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

Florida — continued

                               

Florida State Development Finance Corp., Educational Facilities Revenue, Renaissance Charter School Inc. Projects, Series A

    6.125     6/15/46     $ 160,000     $ 160,222  (d)  

Florida State Mid-Bay Bridge Authority Revenue, First Senior Lien, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/40       740,000       743,108  

Fort Pierce, FL, Utilities Authority Revenue, Series A, Refunding, AGM

    4.000     10/1/52       200,000       188,519  

Greater Orlando, FL, Aviation Authority, Airport Facilities Revenue, Priority Subordinated, Series A

    5.000     10/1/42       500,000       511,495  (c)  

Hillsborough County, FL, Aviation Authority Revenue, Tampa International Airport, Series E

    5.000     10/1/43       250,000       257,280  (c)  

Miami-Dade County, FL, Aviation Revenue:

                               

Series A, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/41       3,000,000       3,076,648  

Series A, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/49       500,000       511,406  (c)  

Miami-Dade County, FL, Expressway Authority Toll System Revenue, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/24       1,250,000       1,270,928  

Miami-Dade County, FL, Seaport Revenue, Senior Bonds, Series A, Refunding

    5.250     10/1/52       1,000,000       1,054,539  (c)  

Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Revenue:

                               

Orlando Health Inc., Series A

    5.000     10/1/53       300,000       313,763  

Presbyterian Retirement Communities, Refunding

    5.000     8/1/47       250,000       257,817  

Palm Beach County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Revenue:

                               

Jupiter Medical Center Project, Series A

    5.000     11/1/52       650,000       636,629  

Toby & Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences of Boca Raton Expansion, Refunding

    4.000     6/1/41       150,000       116,837  

Pasco County, FL, Capital Improvement, Cigarette Tax Allocation Bonds, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center Project, Series A, AGM

    5.750     9/1/54       2,175,000       2,391,268  

Volusia County, FL, EFA Revenue, Educational Facilities Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Inc. Project, Refunding

    5.000     10/15/47       1,000,000       1,028,834  

Total Florida

                            13,879,969  

Georgia — 1.4%

                               

Cobb County, GA, Kennestone Hospital Authority Revenue, Wellstar Health System, Inc. Project, Series A

    5.000     4/1/50       250,000       257,321  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

5


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

May 31, 2023

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

Georgia — continued

                               

Georgia State Municipal Electric Authority Power Revenue:

                               

Plant Vogtle Units 3&4, Project M, Series A

    5.250     7/1/64     $ 250,000     $ 259,739  

Plant Vogtle Units 3&4, Project P, Series A

    5.000     1/1/56       295,000       287,179  

Plant Vogtle Units 3&4, Project P, Series A

    5.500     7/1/64       200,000       206,165  

Project One, Series A

    5.000     1/1/50       250,000       255,587  

Main Street Natural Gas Inc., GA, Gas Project Revenue, Series A

    5.000     5/15/43       650,000       643,487  

Total Georgia

                            1,909,478  

Guam — 0.2%

                               

Guam Government, Business Privilege Tax Revenue, Series F, Refunding

    4.000     1/1/36       260,000       246,411  

Illinois — 21.1%

                               

Chicago, IL, Board of Education, Dedicated Capital Improvement, Special Tax Revenue, Series 2018

    5.000     4/1/42       500,000       505,644  

Chicago, IL, Board of Education, GO:

                               

Dedicated, Series G, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/44       330,000       321,299  

Dedicated, Series H

    5.000     12/1/46       1,250,000       1,208,088  

Series D

    5.000     12/1/46       2,000,000       1,938,189  

Chicago, IL, GO:

                               

Series A, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/28       750,000       790,623  

Series A, Refunding

    6.000     1/1/38       500,000       530,251  

Series C, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/25       1,000,000       1,019,441  

Chicago, IL, O’Hare International Airport Revenue:

                               

General Senior Lien, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/41       250,000       255,027  

Senior Lien, Series D

    5.000     1/1/47       500,000       513,012  

Senior Lien, Series D

    5.000     1/1/52       500,000       510,717  

Series C

    5.000     1/1/35       2,200,000       2,229,130  (c) 

Series C, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/43       750,000       781,830  (c)  

TrIPS Obligated Group

    5.000     7/1/48       200,000       196,601  (c)  

Chicago, IL, Transit Authority, Sales Tax Receipts Revenue:

                               

Second Lien

    5.000     12/1/51       250,000       253,743  

Second Lien, Series A, Refunding

    4.000     12/1/55       600,000       540,544  

Chicago, IL, Wastewater Transmission Revenue:

                               

Second Lien, Series A, AGM

    5.250     1/1/53       500,000       540,256  

Second Lien, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/47       400,000       405,365  

Second Lien, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/38       750,000       766,495  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

6

    Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

Illinois — continued

                               

Chicago, IL, Waterworks Revenue:

                               

Second Lien Project

    5.000     11/1/34     $ 800,000     $ 809,626  

Second Lien Project

    5.000     11/1/39       500,000       505,238  

Cook County, IL, Sales Tax Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    4.000     11/15/41       750,000       725,573  

Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue, Northshore University Healthsystem, Series A, Refunding

    4.000     8/15/40       500,000       479,267  

Illinois State Sports Facilities Authority Revenue, Sport Facilities Project, Series 2019, Refunding, BAM

    5.000     6/15/29       250,000       262,574  

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Revenue, Senior Series A, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/31       1,500,000       1,563,864  

Illinois State, GO:

                               

Series 2016

    5.000     1/1/33       500,000       515,122  

Series 2016

    5.000     11/1/33       650,000       673,982  

Series 2016, Refunding

    5.000     2/1/29       440,000       463,956  

Series A

    5.000     5/1/36       250,000       261,086  

Series A

    5.000     3/1/37       750,000       803,517  

Series A

    5.000     5/1/39       600,000       620,195  

Series A

    5.000     3/1/46       500,000       518,584  

Series A, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/29       1,300,000       1,402,480  

Series D

    5.000     11/1/27       400,000       426,838  

Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, IL, Revenue:

                               

McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series A, Refunding

    4.000     12/15/42       750,000       698,813  

McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     6/15/50       1,000,000       1,005,295  

McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     6/15/42       1,500,000       1,528,293  

Regional Transportation Authority, IL, GO, Series A, Refunding, NATL

    6.000     7/1/29       1,300,000       1,455,214  

Total Illinois

                            28,025,772  

Indiana — 1.1%

                               

Indiana State Finance Authority Revenue:

                               

Marion General Hospital, Series A

    4.000     7/1/45       300,000       285,253  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

7


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

May 31, 2023

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

Indiana — continued

                               

Midwestern Disaster Relief, Ohio Valley Electric Corp. Project, Series A

    4.250     11/1/30     $ 250,000     $ 245,316  

Indianapolis, IN, Local Public Improvement Bond Bank, Courthouse and Jail Project, Series A

    5.000     2/1/54       850,000       887,011  

Total Indiana

                            1,417,580  

Iowa — 1.3%

                               

Iowa State Finance Authority Revenue:

                               

Midwestern Disaster Area, Iowa Fertilizer Co. Project, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/42       1,000,000       1,011,291  (a)(b) 

Midwestern Disaster Area, Iowa Fertilizer Co. Project, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/50       500,000       502,252  

Iowa State Tobacco Settlement Authority Revenue, Asset Backed Senior Bonds, Class 1, Series A-2, Refunding

    4.000     6/1/49       200,000       178,288  

Total Iowa

                            1,691,831  

Kentucky — 1.1%

                               

Kentucky State PEA, Gas Supply Revenue, Series A

    4.000     6/1/26       1,500,000       1,495,129  (a)(b) 

Louisiana — 2.6%

                               

Port New Orleans, LA, Board of Commissioners Revenue, Series B, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     4/1/43       500,000       510,709  (c)  

Shreveport, LA, Water & Sewer Revenue, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     12/1/34       2,080,000       2,123,613  

St. John the Baptist Parish, LA, State Revenue:

                               

Marathon Oil Corp. Project, Series A-3, Refunding

    2.200     7/1/26       500,000       470,411  (a)(b) 

Marathon Oil Corp. Project, Series B-2, Refunding

    2.375     7/1/26       350,000       331,038  (a)(b) 

Total Louisiana

                            3,435,771  

Maryland — 0.6%

                               

Maryland State EDC, Senior Student Housing Revenue, Morgan State University Project

    4.000     7/1/40       500,000       474,414  

Maryland State Stadium Authority Built to Learn Revenue, Series 2021

    4.000     6/1/46       350,000       334,543  

Total Maryland

                            808,957  

Massachusetts — 4.9%

                               

Massachusetts State Clean Water Trust, Unrefunded Balance, MWRA Project, Subordinated, Series A

    5.750     8/1/29       355,000       355,720  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

8

    Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

Massachusetts — continued

                               

Massachusetts State DFA Revenue:

                               

Boston Medical Center, Sustainability Bonds, Series G, Refunding

    5.250     7/1/52     $ 500,000     $ 520,390  

International Charter School

    5.000     4/15/40       1,875,000       1,850,860  

Northeastern University Issue, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/44       750,000       831,606  

UMass Boston Student Housing Project

    5.000     10/1/48       200,000       189,012  

Wellforce Issue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/44       250,000       242,229  

Massachusetts State Port Authority Revenue:

                               

Bosfuel Project, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/49       400,000       410,743  (c)  

Series A, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/36       500,000       530,827  (c)  

Series E

    5.000     7/1/46       1,500,000       1,564,281  (c) 

Total Massachusetts

                            6,495,668  

Michigan — 2.2%

                               

Detroit, MI, Downtown Development Authority Revenue, Catalyst Development, Series A, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     7/1/43       300,000       301,001  

Great Lakes, MI, Water Authority Water Supply System Revenue:

                               

Senior Lien, Series A

    5.000     7/1/46       1,295,000       1,322,557  

Senior Lien, Series C, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/35       150,000       157,286  

Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue:

                               

Facilities Program, Series 1-A, Refunding

    5.250     10/15/47       250,000       251,520  

Local Government Loan Program, Detroit, MI, Water & Sewer Department, Series C-6, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/33       370,000       374,191  

Tobacco Settlement Asset Backed Senior Bonds, Series B-1, Refunding

    5.000     6/1/49       80,000       81,299  

Michigan State Strategic Fund Limited Obligation Revenue, I-75 Improvement Project

    5.000     12/31/43       400,000       400,364  (c)  

Total Michigan

                            2,888,218  

Missouri — 0.3%

                               

Missouri State HEFA Revenue, Lutheran Senior Service Projects, Series A

    5.000     2/1/42       150,000       139,158  

St. Louis County, MO, IDA, Senior Living Facilities Revenue, Friendship Village, St. Louis Obligated Group, Series A

    5.000     9/1/38       350,000       317,923  

Total Missouri

                            457,081  

Nebraska — 0.4%

                               

Omaha Public Power District, NE, Electric System Revenue, Series B, Refunding

    4.000     2/1/46       500,000       485,158  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

9


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

May 31, 2023

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

New Jersey — 11.6%

                               

Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, NJ, Luxury Tax Revenue, Refunding, AGM

    5.000     11/1/27     $ 240,000     $ 245,716  

New Jersey State EDA Revenue:

                               

Private Activity-The Goethals Bridge Replacement Project

    5.375     1/1/43       1,000,000       1,002,972  (c)  

Provident Group - Rowan Properties LLC, Rowan University Housing Project

    5.000     1/1/48       500,000       452,774  

Special Facility, Port Newark Container Terminal LLC Project, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/37       175,000       177,366  (c)  

New Jersey State EDA, Special Facility Revenue, Continental Airlines Inc. Project

    5.250     9/15/29       2,000,000       2,005,204  (c)  

New Jersey State EFA Revenue, Stevens Institute of Technology, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/42       3,000,000       3,048,592  

New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Revenue:

                               

Hackensack Meridian Health, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/38       100,000       104,959  

RWJ Barnabas Health Obligation Group, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/43       300,000       307,727  

New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Revenue:

                               

Transportation Program, Series AA

    5.000     6/15/39       2,125,000       2,254,088  

Transportation Program, Series AA, Refunding

    5.000     6/15/36       4,000,000       4,368,217  

Transportation System, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     12/15/28       1,050,000       1,138,818  

Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., NJ, Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.250     6/1/46       200,000       208,125  

Total New Jersey

                            15,314,558  

New York — 21.5%

                               

Brookhaven, NY, Local Development Corp. Revenue, Long Island Community Hospital Project, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/32       750,000       812,220  

MTA, NY, Dedicated Tax Fund Revenue, Green Bonds, Subseries A-2

    5.000     11/15/47       500,000       521,560  

MTA, NY, Transportation Revenue:

                               

Green Bonds, Series E, Refunding

    5.000     11/15/30       250,000       268,972  

Green Bonds, Series E, Refunding

    4.000     11/15/45       500,000       463,745  

Series A-2

    5.000     5/15/30       500,000       536,132  (a)(b)  

Series B, Refunding

    5.000     11/15/37       250,000       255,189  

New York City, NY, GO, Subseries A-1

    4.000     8/1/40       1,250,000       1,243,455  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

10

    Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

New York — continued

                               

New York City, NY, Industrial Development Agency Revenue, Yankee Stadium Project, Refunding

    4.000     3/1/45     $ 400,000     $ 364,424  

New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue:

                               

Second General Resolution Fiscal 2022, Series AA, Subseries AA-1

    4.000     6/15/51       1,300,000       1,265,271  

Second General Resolution, Series CC-1, Refunding

    5.000     6/15/46       1,000,000       1,030,959  

New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue:

                               

Non-State Supported Debt, Memorial Sloan- Kettering Cancer Center, Series B-1

    4.000     7/1/51       500,000       466,222  

Non-State Supported Debt, New School University, Series A

    5.000     7/1/35       140,000       145,028  (e)  

Non-State Supported Debt, New School University, Series A

    5.000     7/1/35       1,900,000       1,942,575  

Non-State Supported Debt, Series A, AGM

    5.000     10/1/35       1,000,000       1,080,983  

New York State Dormitory Authority, Sales Tax Revenue, Bidding Group 4, Series E, Refunding

    5.000     3/15/44       850,000       904,032  

New York State Dormitory Authority, State Personal Income Tax Revenue:

                               

Bidding Group 4, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     3/15/45       1,000,000       1,058,639  

Bidding Group 4, Series D, Refunding

    4.000     2/15/40       3,100,000       3,090,758  

New York State Liberty Development Corp., Liberty Revenue:

                               

3 World Trade Center Project, Class 1, Refunding

    5.000     11/15/44       490,000       481,133  (d)  

7 World Trade Center Project, Class 2, Refunding

    3.250     9/15/52       1,200,000       937,401  

New York State Thruway Authority General Revenue, Junior Indebtedness Obligations, Junior Lien, Series B

    4.000     1/1/45       1,000,000       963,769  

New York State Transportation Development Corp., Special Facilities Revenue:

                               

Delta Air Lines Inc., LaGuardia Airport Terminals C and D Redevelopment Project

    5.000     1/1/30       500,000       516,183  (c)  

Delta Air Lines Inc., LaGuardia Airport Terminals C and D Redevelopment Project

    5.000     1/1/32       650,000       670,865  (c)  

Delta Air Lines Inc., LaGuardia Airport Terminals C and D Redevelopment Project

    4.375     10/1/45       250,000       237,167  (c)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

11


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

May 31, 2023

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

New York — continued

                               

LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment Project, Series A

    5.000     7/1/41     $ 300,000     $ 298,273  (c)  

LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment Project, Series A

    5.000     7/1/46       2,600,000       2,532,369  (c)  

New York State Urban Development Corp. Revenue, State Personal Income Tax, Series C

    4.000     3/15/45       750,000       733,049  

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Revenue, Consolidated Series 221

    4.000     7/15/45       1,000,000       952,147  (c)  

Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, NY, Revenue:

                               

General-MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series A

    5.000     11/15/45       250,000       264,367  

General-MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series A

    5.000     11/15/49       500,000       528,150  

General-MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series A

    5.000     11/15/49       2,050,000       2,186,437  

General-MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series A

    4.000     11/15/56       750,000       701,584  

Senior Lien-MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series C-1A

    5.000     5/15/51       1,000,000       1,073,162  

Total New York

                            28,526,220  

North Carolina — 0.8%

                               

Charlotte, NC, Lease Revenue, COP, Convention Facility Project, Series A, Refunding

    4.000     6/1/49       250,000       244,472  

North Carolina State Turnpike Authority, Monroe Expressway Toll Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/47       750,000       758,747  

Total North Carolina

                            1,003,219  

North Dakota — 0.5%

                               

Grand Forks, ND, Health Care System Revenue, Altru Health System, Refunding, AGM

    3.000     12/1/46       850,000       636,620  

Ohio — 1.4%

                               

Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority Revenue, Senior Bonds, Series B-2, Refunding

    5.000     6/1/55       1,125,000       1,042,320  

Ohio State Air Quality Development Authority Revenue:

                               

American Electric Co. Project, Series B, Refunding

    2.500     10/1/29       450,000       389,000  (a)(b)(c) 

AMG Vanadium Project, Series 2019

    5.000     7/1/49       170,000       153,722  (c)  

Duke Energy Corp. Project, Series B, Refunding

    4.250     6/1/27       300,000       296,612  (a)(b)(c) 

Total Ohio

                            1,881,654  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

12

    Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

Oregon — 1.0%

                               

Multnomah County, OR, School District No 7, Reynolds, GO, Deferred Interest, Series B, School Board Guaranty

    0.000     6/15/31     $ 1,000,000     $ 717,850  

Oregon State Facilities Authority Revenue, Legacy Health Project, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     6/1/46       600,000       609,762  

Total Oregon

                            1,327,612  

Pennsylvania — 9.9%

                               

Allegheny County, PA, HDA Revenue, University Pittsburgh Medical Center, Series A, Refunding

    4.000     7/15/39       500,000       489,726  

Bucks County, PA, Water and Sewer Authority, Sewer System Revenue, Series A, AGM

    4.250     12/1/47       250,000       248,295  

Commonwealth Financing Authority, PA, Tobacco Master Settlement Payment Revenue Bonds, Series 2018

    5.000     6/1/33       250,000       267,472  

Cumberland County, PA, Municipal Authority Revenue, Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/29       335,000       337,261  

East Hempfield Township, PA, IDA Revenue, Student Services Inc. Student Housing Project - Millersville University

    5.000     7/1/47       250,000       258,723  (e)  

Lancaster County, PA, Convention Center Authority Revenue, Hotel Room Rental Tax, Series B, Refunding

    4.750     5/1/53       1,000,000       1,006,550  

Lancaster County, PA, Hospital Authority Revenue, Penn State Health, Series 2021

    5.000     11/1/46       750,000       775,966  

Pennsylvania State Economic Development Financing Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue, Waste Management Inc. Project

    2.150     7/1/24       350,000       343,141  (a)(b)(c) 

Pennsylvania State Economic Development Financing Authority Revenue, Tax-Exempt Private Activity, The Penndot Major Bridges Package One Project

    5.250     6/30/53       2,100,000       2,153,960  (c) 

Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission Revenue:

                               

Series A-2, Refunding

    5.000     12/1/48       1,000,000       1,036,881  

Series B

    5.000     12/1/45       500,000       528,847  

Series B, Refunding

    5.250     12/1/47       300,000       326,216  

Philadelphia, PA, Airport Revenue, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     6/15/35       2,000,000       2,032,369  (c) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

13


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

May 31, 2023

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

Pennsylvania — continued

                               

Philadelphia, PA, Authority for IDR:

                               

Charter School Revenue, A String Theory Charter School Project

    5.000     6/15/40     $ 500,000     $ 500,210  

City Service Agreement Revenue, Rebuild Project

    5.000     5/1/35       250,000       267,416  

City Service Agreement Revenue, Rebuild Project

    5.000     5/1/38       500,000       526,666  

Philadelphia, PA, GO, Series B

    5.000     2/1/38       250,000       267,765  

School District Philadelphia, PA, GO, Series A, State Aid Withholding

    5.000     9/1/32       1,000,000       1,027,608  

State Public School Building Authority, PA, Lease Revenue:

                               

Philadelphia SD Project, Series A, Refunding, AGM, State Aid Withholding

    5.000     6/1/31       200,000       210,081  

Philadelphia SD Project, Series A, Refunding, AGM, State Aid Withholding

    5.000     6/1/33       500,000       523,354  

Total Pennsylvania

                            13,128,507  

Puerto Rico — 6.8%

                               

Puerto Rico Commonwealth Aqueduct & Sewer Authority Revenue:

                               

Senior Lien, Series A, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/47       1,000,000       963,363  (d)  

Series B, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/33       500,000       504,279  (d)  

Puerto Rico Commonwealth Highway & Transportation Authority Revenue:

                               

CAB, Restructured, Series B

    0.000     7/1/32       100,000       63,704  

Restructured, Series A

    5.000     7/1/62       105,000       100,931  

Puerto Rico Commonwealth, GO:

                               

CAB, Restructured, Series A-1

    0.000     7/1/24       4,690       4,471  

CAB, Restructured, Series A-1

    0.000     7/1/33       18,141       10,657  

Restructured, Series A-1

    5.250     7/1/23       7,871       7,879  

Restructured, Series A-1

    5.375     7/1/25       15,700       16,041  

Restructured, Series A-1

    5.625     7/1/27       15,558       16,280  

Restructured, Series A-1

    5.625     7/1/29       15,305       16,237  

Restructured, Series A-1

    5.750     7/1/31       14,866       16,040  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.000     7/1/33       14,097       12,970  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.000     7/1/35       217,671       194,992  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.000     7/1/37       940,000       818,091  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.000     7/1/41       139,786       117,084  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.000     7/1/46       15,377       12,433  

Subseries CW

    0.000     11/1/43       66,573       32,538  (b)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

14

    Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

Puerto Rico — continued

                               

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Revenue:

                               

Series A

    5.000     7/1/42     $ 670,000     $ 480,725  *(f) 

Series A

    5.050     7/1/42       100,000       71,750  *(f)  

Series XX

    5.250     7/1/40       1,075,000       771,312  *(f) 

Series ZZ, Refunding

          7/1/18       300,000       210,750  *(g) 

Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., Sales Tax Revenue:

                               

CAB, Restructured, Series A-1

    0.000     7/1/27       280,000       235,753  

CAB, Restructured, Series A-1

    0.000     7/1/46       1,800,000       486,448  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.550     7/1/40       70,000       66,795  

Restructured, Series A-1

    4.750     7/1/53       830,000       769,625  

Restructured, Series A-1

    5.000     7/1/58       270,000       258,646  

Restructured, Series A-2

    4.329     7/1/40       1,910,000       1,774,257  

Restructured, Series A-2A

    4.550     7/1/40       1,050,000       1,001,918  

Total Puerto Rico

                            9,035,969  

South Carolina — 0.8%

                               

South Carolina State Jobs-EDA Hospital Facilities Revenue, Bon Secours Mercy Health Inc., Series A, Refunding

    4.000     12/1/44       550,000       523,654  

South Carolina State Ports Authority Revenue, Series 2018

    5.000     7/1/36       500,000       525,998  (c)  

Total South Carolina

                            1,049,652  

South Dakota — 0.2%

                               

South Dakota State HEFA Revenue, Regional Health

    5.000     9/1/40       200,000       204,478  

Tennessee — 1.9%

                               

Clarksville, TN, Water, Sewer & Gas Revenue, Series A

    4.000     2/1/51       750,000       715,840  

Knox County, TN, Health, Educational & Housing Facility Board Revenue, University Health System Inc., Series A

    5.000     9/1/40       350,000       350,451  

Tennessee State Energy Acquisition Corp., Natural Gas Revenue, Series 2018

    4.000     11/1/25       1,500,000       1,493,829  (a)(b) 

Total Tennessee

                            2,560,120  

Texas — 10.2%

                               

Arlington, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp., Education Revenue, Uplift Education, Series A, Refunding, PSF - GTD

    5.000     12/1/47       250,000       257,582  

Arlington, TX, Special Tax Revenue, Senior Lien, Series A, AGM

    5.000     2/15/48       350,000       363,620  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

15


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

May 31, 2023

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

Texas — continued

                               

Austin, TX, Airport System Revenue:

                               

Series 2022

    5.000     11/15/52     $ 500,000     $ 518,051  (c) 

Series B

    5.000     11/15/39       750,000       785,486  (c)  

Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Revenue, Senior Lien, Series B

    4.000     1/1/51       1,020,000       931,984  

Corpus Christi, TX, Utility System Revenue, Junior Lien, Series A

    5.000     7/15/31       2,905,000       3,019,149  

Grand Parkway Transportation Corp., TX, System Toll Revenue, Convertible CAB, Step bond, Series A, B and C (0.000% to 10/1/23 then 5.500%)

    0.000     10/1/36       2,000,000       2,149,679  

Harris County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Hospital Revenue, Texas Children’s Hospital, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     10/1/31       400,000       454,697  (a)(b) 

Hays, TX, ISD, GO, Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, PSF - GTD

    4.000     2/15/47       400,000       389,187  

Houston, TX, Airport System Revenue:

                               

Series B-1

    5.000     7/15/30       1,000,000       1,003,992  (c) 

Special Facilities, United Airlines Inc., Terminal Improvement Project, Series B-1

    4.000     7/15/41       600,000       523,784  (c)  

Subordinated Lien, Series A, Refunding

    4.000     7/1/41       750,000       712,965  (c)  

Love Field, TX, Airport Modernization Corp., General Airport Revenue:

                               

Series 2017

    5.000     11/1/33       40,000       41,310  (c)  

Series 2017

    5.000     11/1/36       40,000       40,939  (c)  

Newark, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp., Education Revenue, TLC Academy, Series A

    4.000     8/15/51       300,000       224,100  

North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue:

                               

Series A, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/39       250,000       256,643  

Series B, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/45       600,000       609,373  

Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Hospital Revenue, Methodist Hospitals of Dallas

    4.000     10/1/42       750,000       726,430  

Texas State Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. Revenue, Senior Lien, Blueridge Transportation Group LLC

    5.000     12/31/40       460,000       461,368  (c)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

16

    Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

Texas — continued

                               

Woodloch, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Senior Housing Revenue:

                               

Inspired Living at Lewisville Project, Series A-1

    6.750     12/1/51     $ 150,000     $ 109,500  *(d)(f) 

Subordinated, Inspired Living at Lewisville Project, Series B

    10.000     12/1/51       50,000       2,500  *(f)  

Total Texas

                            13,582,339  

Utah — 0.4%

                               

Utah State Charter School Finance Authority, Charter School Revenue, Syracuse Arts Academy Project, UT CSCE

    5.000     4/15/42       250,000       253,387  

Utah State Infrastructure Agency, Telecommunications Revenue:

                               

Series 2019

    4.000     10/15/39       250,000       211,876  

Series 2021

    4.000     10/15/36       100,000       88,645  

Total Utah

                            553,908  

Virginia — 2.3%

                               

Arlington County, VA, IDA, Hospital Revenue, Virginia Hospital Center, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/35       250,000       273,543  

Virginia State Port Authority, Port Facilities Revenue:

                               

Series B, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/41       300,000       304,099  (c)  

Series B, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/45       500,000       505,545  (c)  

Virginia State Small Business Financing Authority Revenue:

                               

National Senior Campuses, Inc., Series A, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/34       250,000       266,769  

Senior Lien, 95 Express Lanes LLC Project, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/38       1,250,000       1,284,249  (c)  

Senior Lien, I-495 HOT Lanes Project, Refunding

    5.000     12/31/47       350,000       354,819  (c)  

Total Virginia

                            2,989,024  

Washington — 1.5%

                               

Port of Seattle, WA, Intermediate Lien Revenue:

                               

Series 2019

    4.000     4/1/44       250,000       226,565  (c)  

Series 2019

    5.000     4/1/44       500,000       519,286  (c)  

Series 2022, Refunding

    5.000     8/1/41       750,000       795,291  (c)  

Washington State Health Care Facilities Authority Revenue, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

    4.000     12/1/40       500,000       480,835  

Total Washington

                            2,021,977  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

17


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

May 31, 2023

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate    

Maturity

Date

    Face
Amount
    Value  

Wisconsin — 4.4%

                               

Mount Pleasant, WI, Tax Increment Revenue, Series A

    5.000     4/1/48     $ 500,000     $ 511,351  

Public Finance Authority, WI, Airport Facilities Revenue, Transportation Infrastructure Properties LLC, Series B, Refunding

    5.000     7/1/42       4,000,000       3,956,471  (c)  

Public Finance Authority, WI, Revenue:

                               

Carmelite System Inc., Obligated Group, Series 2020, Refunding

    5.000     1/1/40       200,000       193,855  

Cone Health, Series A

    5.000     10/1/52       500,000       517,073  

Public Finance Authority, WI, Student Housing Revenue, University of Hawai’i Foundation Project, Green Bonds, Series A-1

    4.000     7/1/51       410,000       310,601  (d)  

Wisconsin State HEFA Revenue, Bellin Memorial Hospital Inc., Series A

    5.500     12/1/52       350,000       378,325  

Total Wisconsin

                            5,867,676  

Total Municipal Bonds (Cost — $202,827,034)

                            201,011,225  
Municipal Bonds Deposited in Tender Option Bond Trust (h) — 3.5%

 

               

New York — 3.5%

                               

New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue, Second General Resolution Fiscal 2023, Subseries AA-1

    5.250     6/15/52       2,020,000       2,243,705  

New York State Dormitory Authority, State Personal Income Tax Revenue, General Purpose Bonds, Series A

    4.000     3/15/45       2,475,000       2,429,415  

Total Municipal Bonds Deposited in Tender Option Bond Trust (Cost — $4,642,493)

 

            4,673,120  

Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $207,469,527)

 

    205,684,345  
Short-Term Investments — 1.7%                                
Municipal Bonds — 1.7%                                

New York — 1.7%

                               

New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue, Second General Resolution Fiscal 2014, Series AA-1, Refunding, SPA - JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Cost — $2,200,000)

    4.100     6/15/50       2,200,000       2,200,000  (i)(j)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

18

    Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate            Shares     Value  
Money Market Funds — 0.0%††                                

Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares (Cost — $27,832)

    5.033             27,832     $ 27,832  (k)(l)  

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost — $2,227,832)

 

                    2,227,832  

Total Investments — 156.8% (Cost — $209,697,359)

 

                    207,912,177  

Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value — (6.9)%

 

                    (9,200,000

Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value — (50.2)%

 

                    (66,500,000

TOB Floating Rate Notes — (2.0)%

                            (2,580,000

Other Assets in Excess of Other Liabilities — 2.3%

                            2,930,784  

Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders — 100.0%

 

                  $ 132,562,961  

 

††

Represents less than 0.1%.

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

(a) 

Maturity date shown represents the mandatory tender date.

 

(b) 

Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description above.

 

(c) 

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

 

(d)

Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.

 

(e)

Pre-Refunded bonds are generally escrowed with U.S. government obligations and/or U.S. government agency securities.

 

(f)

The coupon payment on this security is currently in default as of May 31, 2023.

 

(g)

The maturity principal is currently in default as of May 31, 2023.

 

(h)

Represents securities deposited into a special purpose entity, referred to as a Tender Option Bond (“TOB”) trust (Note 1).

 

(i)

Variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”) have a demand feature under which the Fund can tender them back to the issuer or liquidity provider on no more than 7 days notice. The interest rate generally resets on a daily or weekly basis and is determined on the specific interest rate reset date by the remarketing agent, pursuant to a formula specified in official documents for the VRDO, or set at the highest rate allowable as specified in official documents for the VRDO. VRDOs are benchmarked to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) Municipal Swap Index. The SIFMA Municipal Swap Index is compiled from weekly interest rate resets of tax-exempt VRDOs reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s Short-term Obligation Rate Transparency System.

 

(j)

Maturity date shown is the final maturity date. The security may be sold back to the issuer before final maturity.

 

(k)

Rate shown is one-day yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(l)

In this instance, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, an “Affiliated Company” represents Fund ownership of at least 5% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. At May 31, 2023, the total market value of investments in Affiliated Companies was $27,832 and the cost was $27,832 (Note 9).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

19


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

May 31, 2023

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Abbreviation(s) used in this schedule:

AGM   — Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation — Insured Bonds
BAM   — Build America Mutual — Insured Bonds
CAB   — Capital Appreciation Bonds
COP   — Certificates of Participation
CSCE   — Charter School Credit Enhancement
DFA   — Development Finance Agency
EDA   — Economic Development Authority
EDC   — Economic Development Corporation
EFA   — Educational Facilities Authority
GO   — General Obligation
GTD   — Guaranteed
HDA   — Housing Development Authority
HEFA   — Health & Educational Facilities Authority
IDA   — Industrial Development Authority
IDR   — Industrial Development Revenue
ISD   — Independent School District
MFA   — Municipal Finance Authority
MTA   — Metropolitan Transportation Authority
MWRA   — Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
NATL   — National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation — Insured Bonds
PCFA   — Pollution Control Financing Authority
PEA   — Public Energy Authority
PSF   — Permanent School Fund
RDA   — Redevelopment Agency
SD   — School District
SIFMA   — Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
SPA   — Standby Bond Purchase Agreement — Insured Bonds
USD   — Unified School District

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

20

    Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)

May 31, 2023

 

Assets:         

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (Cost — $209,669,527)

   $ 207,884,345  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (Cost — $27,832)

     27,832  

Interest receivable

     3,025,210  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investments

     167  

Prepaid expenses

     52,998  

Total Assets

     210,990,552  
Liabilities:         

Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock ($50,000 liquidation value per share; 1,330 shares issued and outstanding) (net of deferred offering costs of $646,901) (Note 5)

     65,853,099  

TOB Floating Rate Notes (Note 1)

     2,580,000  

Distributions payable to Common Shareholders

     417,920  

Investment management fee payable

     97,971  

Interest expense payable

     34,407  

Distributions payable to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders

     4,347  

Directors’ fees payable

     2,754  

Accrued expenses

     237,093  

Total Liabilities

     69,227,591  

Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (184 shares authorized and issued at $50,000 per share) (Note 6)

     9,200,000  
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders    $ 132,562,961  
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders:         

Common stock par value ($0.001 par value; 9,719,063 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 common shares authorized)

   $ 9,719  

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

     142,467,734  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     (9,914,492)  
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders    $ 132,562,961  
Common Shares Outstanding      9,719,063  
Net Asset Value Per Common Share      $13.64  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

21


Table of Contents

Statement of operations (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2023

 

Investment Income:         

Interest

   $ 4,292,023  

Dividends from affiliated investments

     835  

Total Investment Income

     4,292,858  
Expenses:         

Distributions to Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stockholders (Notes 1 and 5)

     1,029,130  

Investment management fee (Note 2)

     577,715  

Liquidity fees (Note 5)

     256,811  

Legal fees

     165,905  

Interest expense (Note 1)

     45,957  

Rating agency fees

     28,432  

Audit and tax fees

     26,139  

Transfer agent fees

     23,052  

Directors’ fees

     20,944  

Remarketing fees (Note 5)

     16,810  

Amortization of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock offering costs (Note 5)

     14,858  

Fund accounting fees

     10,713  

Auction participation fees (Note 6)

     10,540  

Shareholder reports

     7,089  

Stock exchange listing fees

     6,240  

Auction agent fees

     5,442  

Insurance

     718  

Custody fees

     455  

Miscellaneous expenses

     6,777  

Total Expenses

     2,253,727  

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

     (17)  

Net Expenses

     2,253,710  
Net Investment Income      2,039,148  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments (Notes 1 and 3):         

Net Realized Loss From Unaffiliated Investment Transactions

     (696,593)  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From Unaffiliated Investments

     1,826,072  
Net Gain on Investments      1,129,479  

Distributions Paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders From Net Investment Income (Notes 1 and 6)

     (266,432)  
Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations    $ 2,902,195  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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Statements of changes in net assets

 

 

For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2023 (unaudited)
and the Year Ended November 30, 2022
   2023      2022  
Operations:                  

Net investment income

   $ 2,039,148      $ 5,219,471  

Net realized loss

     (696,593)        (6,492,282)  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     1,826,072        (25,561,427)  

Distributions paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders from net investment income

     (266,432)        (294,717)  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations

     2,902,195        (27,128,955)  
Distributions to Common Shareholders From (Note 1):                  

Total distributable earnings

     (2,507,518)        (6,803,344)  

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Common Shareholders

     (2,507,518)        (6,803,344)  
Fund Share Transactions:                  

Net increase from repurchase of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares (Note 6)

     70,000        387,500  

Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions

     70,000        387,500  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders

     464,677        (33,544,799)  
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders:                  

Beginning of period

     132,098,284        165,643,083  

End of period

   $ 132,562,961      $ 132,098,284  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Statement of cash flows (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2023

 

Increase (Decrease) in Cash:         
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:         

Net increase in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations*

   $ 3,168,627  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

        

Purchases of portfolio securities

     (16,709,765)  

Sales of portfolio securities

     22,186,326  

Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments

     (2,040,400)  

Net amortization of premium (accretion of discount)

     579,977  

Increase in interest receivable

     (99,211)  

Increase in prepaid expenses

     (41,367)  

Decrease in dividends receivable from affiliated investments

     771  

Decrease in payable for securities purchased

     (2,004,412)  

Amortization of preferred stock offering costs

     14,858  

Increase in investment management fee payable

     3,909  

Decrease in Directors’ fees payable

     (3,851)  

Increase in interest expense payable

     29,756  

Increase in accrued expenses

     195,554  

Net realized loss on investments

     696,593  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

     (1,826,072)  

Net Cash Provided in Operating Activities**

     4,151,293  
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:         

Distributions paid on common stock (net of distributions payable)

     (2,551,253)  

Distributions paid on Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (net of distributions payable)

     (270,040)  

Repurchase of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock

     (1,330,000)  

Net Cash Used by Financing Activities

     (4,151,293)  
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period       
Cash and restricted cash at end of period       

 

*

Does not include distributions paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders.

 

**

Included in operating expenses is cash of $16,201 paid for interest on borrowings and $1,029,130 paid for distributions to Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stockholders.

 

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities that sums to the total of such amounts shown on the Statement of Cash Flows.

 

      May 31, 2023  
Cash       
Restricted cash       
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the Statement of Cash Flows       

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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Financial highlights

 

 For a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30,
 unless otherwise noted:
 
     20231,2     20221     20211     20201     20191     20181  
Net asset value, beginning of period     $13.59       $17.04       $16.70       $16.57       $15.63       $16.37  
Income (loss) from operations:            

Net investment income

    0.21       0.54       0.61       0.60       0.62       0.67  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.12       (3.30)       0.30       0.12       1.05       (0.65)  

Distributions paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders from net investment income

    (0.03)       (0.03)       (0.00) 3       (0.02)       (0.05)       (0.04)  

Total income (loss) from operations

    0.30       (2.79)       0.91       0.70       1.62       (0.02)  
Less distributions to common shareholders from:            

Net investment income

    (0.26) 4       (0.57)       (0.57)       (0.56)       (0.68)       (0.72)  

Net realized gains

          (0.13)             (0.01)              

Total distributions to common shareholders

    (0.26)       (0.70)       (0.57)       (0.57)       (0.68)       (0.72)  
Net increase from repurchase of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares     0.01       0.04                         0.00 3  
Net asset value, end of period     $13.64       $13.59       $17.04       $16.70       $16.57       $15.63  
Market price, end of period     $11.50       $12.29       $15.79       $14.70       $15.12       $13.60  

Total return, based on NAV5,6

    2.27 %7      (16.39) %8      5.49     4.41     10.50     (0.12) %9 

Total return, based on Market Price10

    (4.39)     (17.99)     11.38     1.11     16.36     (5.50)
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of period (millions)     $133       $132       $166       $162       $161       $152  
Ratios to average net assets:11            

Gross expenses

    3.37 %12      2.07     1.49     1.85     2.11     2.09

Net expenses13

    3.37 12,14      2.07 14       1.49 14       1.85 14       2.11       2.09  

Net investment income

    3.05 12       3.66       3.55       3.67       3.81       4.21  
Portfolio turnover rate     8     39     11     31     19     14

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

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Financial highlights (cont’d)

 

 For a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30,
 unless otherwise noted:
 
     20231,2     20221     20211     20201     20191     20181  
Supplemental data:            

Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Period (000s)

    $9,200       $10,600       $18,350       $18,350       $18,350       $18,350  

Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Period (000s)

    $66,500       $66,500       $66,500       $66,500       $66,500       $66,500  

Asset Coverage Ratio for Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock and Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock15

    275     271     295     291     290     279

Asset Coverage, per $50,000 Liquidation Value per Share of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock and Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock15

    $137,558       $135,667       $147,609       $145,633       $144,880       $139,534  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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1 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2 

For the six months ended May 31, 2023 (unaudited).

 

3 

Amount represents less than $0.005 or greater than $(0.005) per share.

 

4 

The actual source of the Fund’s current fiscal year distributions may be from net investment income, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year.

 

5 

Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

6 

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

7 

The total return based on NAV reflects the impact of the tender and repurchase by the Fund of a portion of its Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares at 95% of the per share liquidation preference. Absent this transaction, the total return based on NAV would have been 2.20%.

 

8

The total return based on NAV reflects the impact of the tender and repurchase by the Fund of a portion of its Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares at 95% of the per share liquidation preference. Absent this transaction, the total return based on NAV would have been (16.64)%.

 

9 

The total return based on NAV reflects the impact of the tender and repurchase by the Fund of a portion of its Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares at 85% of the per share liquidation preference. Absent this transaction, the total return based on NAV would have been the same.

 

10 

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

11 

Calculated on the basis of average net assets of common stock shareholders. Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders.

 

12 

Annualized.

 

13 

The manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund.

 

14

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

15 

Represents value of net assets plus the liquidation value of the auction rate cumulative preferred stock and variable rate demand preferred stock, if any, at the end of the period divided by the liquidation value of the auction rate cumulative preferred stock and variable rate demand preferred stock, if any, outstanding at the end of the period.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on November 24, 1992 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 regular 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.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund pursues its objectives by investing substantially all of its assets in a diversified portfolio of tax-exempt securities. As a matter of fundamental policy which cannot be changed without shareholder approval, under normal market conditions at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets will be invested in tax-exempt securities. The Fund invests primarily in tax-exempt securities that are rated “investment grade” at the time of purchase by at least one rating agency and that the subadviser believes do not involve undue risk to income or principal or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable credit quality by the subadviser, but the Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities rated below “investment grade” (commonly known as “high yield” or “junk” bonds) at the time of purchase. For credit ratings purposes, pre-refunded bonds are deemed to be unrated. The subadviser determines the credit quality of pre-refunded bonds based on the quality of the escrowed collateral and such other factors as the subadviser deems appropriate.

The Fund follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services –Investment Companies (“ASC 946”). The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), including, but not limited to, ASC 946. 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. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.

(a) Investment valuation. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies. The independent third party pricing services typically use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable,

 

 

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the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors.

Pursuant to policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the Fund’s manager has been designated as the valuation designee and is responsible for the oversight of the daily valuation process. The Fund’s manager is assisted by the Global Fund Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s pricing policies, and reporting to the Fund’s manager and the Board of Directors. When determining the reliability of third party pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.

The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuer’s financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts’ research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.

For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Directors quarterly.

The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

 

Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value:

 

ASSETS  

Description

 

Quoted Prices

(Level 1)

   

Other Significant

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

   

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

   

Total

 
Long-Term Investments†:                                

Municipal Bonds

        $ 201,011,225           $ 201,011,225  

Municipal Bonds Deposited in Tender Option Bond Trust

 

 

 

 

 

4,673,120

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,673,120

 

Total Long-Term Investments           205,684,345             205,684,345  
Short-Term Investments†:                                

Municipal Bonds

          2,200,000             2,200,000  

Money Market Funds

  $ 27,832                   27,832  
Total Short-Term Investments     27,832       2,200,000             2,227,832  
Total Investments   $ 27,832     $ 207,884,345           $ 207,912,177  

 

See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

(b) Tender option bonds. The Fund may enter into tender option bond (“TOB”) transactions and may invest in inverse floating rate instruments (“Inverse Floaters”) issued in TOB transactions. The Fund may participate either in structuring an Inverse Floater or purchasing an Inverse Floater in the secondary market. When structuring an Inverse Floater, the Fund deposits securities (typically municipal bonds or other municipal securities) (the “Underlying Bonds”) into a special purpose entity, referred to as a TOB trust. The TOB trust generally issues floating rate notes (“Floaters”) to third parties and residual interest, Inverse Floaters, to the Fund. The Floaters issued by the TOB trust have interest rates which reset weekly and provide the holders of the Floaters the option to tender their notes back to the TOB trust for redemption at par at each reset date. The net proceeds of the sale of the Floaters, after expenses, are received by the Fund and may be invested in additional securities. The Inverse Floaters are inverse floating rate debt instruments, as the return on those bonds is inversely related to changes in a specified interest rate. Distributions on any Inverse

 

 

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Floaters paid to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term interest rates rise and will increase when such interest rates fall. Floaters issued by a TOB trust may be senior to the Inverse Floaters held by the Fund. The value and market for Inverse Floaters can be volatile, and Inverse Floaters can have limited liquidity.

An investment in an Inverse Floater structured by the Fund is accounted for as a secured borrowing. The Underlying Bonds deposited into the TOB trust are included in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and a liability for Floaters (TOB floating rate notes) issued by the TOB trust is recognized in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The carrying amount of the TOB trust’s floating rate note obligations as reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities approximates its fair value. Interest income, including amortization, on the Underlying Bonds is recognized in the Fund’s Statements of Operations. Interest paid to holders of the Floaters, as well as other expenses related to administration, liquidity, remarketing and trustee services of the TOB trust, are recognized in Interest expense in the Fund’s Statement of Operations.

(c) Net asset value. The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s common stock is determined no less frequently than the close of business on the Fund’s last business day of each week (generally Friday) and on the last business day of the month. It is determined by dividing the value of the net assets available to common stock by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding. For the purpose of determining the NAV per share of the common stock, the value of the Fund’s net assets shall be deemed to equal the value of the Fund’s assets less (1) the Fund’s liabilities including the aggregate liquidation value (i.e., $50,000 per outstanding share) of the Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock (“VRDPS”) net of the deferred offering costs, and (2) the aggregate liquidation value (i.e., $50,000 per outstanding share) of the Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (“ARCPS”).

(d) Cash flow information. The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income and net realized gains, which are paid in cash and may be reinvested at the discretion of shareholders. These activities are reported in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets and additional information on cash receipts and cash payments is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows.

(e) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income (including interest income from payment-in-kind securities), 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 or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.

(f) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions to common shareholders from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared quarterly and paid on a monthly basis. The actual source of the Fund’s monthly distribution may be from net investment income, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year. The Fund intends to satisfy conditions that will enable interest from municipal securities, which is exempt from

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

federal and certain state income taxes, to retain such tax-exempt status when distributed to the common shareholders of the Fund. Distributions to common shareholders of net realized gains, if any, are taxable and are declared at least annually. Distributions to common shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

Distributions to holders of ARCPS are accrued daily and paid on a weekly basis and are determined as described in Note 6. Distributions to holders of VRDPS are accrued on a daily basis and paid monthly as described in Note 5 and are treated as an operating expense as required by GAAP. For tax purposes, the payments made to the holders of the Fund’s VRDPS are treated as dividends or distributions.

(g) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodian’s fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank.

(h) 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 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of November 30, 2022, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

(i) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share.

2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager and Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”) is the Fund’s subadviser. LMPFA and Western Asset are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin Resources”).

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. The Fund pays LMPFA an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets. For purposes of calculating this fee, the aggregate liquidation value of the preferred stock of the Fund is not deducted in determining the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

 

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LMPFA delegates to Western Asset the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset a fee monthly, at an annual rate equal to 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.

The manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”).

During the six months ended May 31, 2023, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted to $17, all of which was an affiliated money market fund waiver.

All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Franklin Resources or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.

The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell short-term variable rate demand obligations from or to certain other affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The procedures have been designed to provide assurance that any purchase or sale of securities by the Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is, or could be considered, an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment manager or subadviser (or affiliated investment manager or subadviser), common Directors and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under the procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price. For the six months ended May 31, 2023, such purchase and sale transactions (excluding accrued interest) were $4,200,000 and $5,970,000, respectively.

3. Investments

During the six months ended May 31, 2023, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

Purchases      $ 16,709,765  
Sales        22,186,326  

At May 31, 2023, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:

 

     

Cost*

    

Gross

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Gross

Unrealized

Depreciation

    

Net

Unrealized

Depreciation

 
Securities    $ 207,117,359      $ 3,748,044      $ (5,533,226)      $ (1,785,182)  

 

*

Cost of investments for federal income tax purposes includes the value of Inverse Floaters issued in TOB transactions (Note 1).

4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities

During the six months ended May 31, 2023, the Fund did not invest in derivative instruments.

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

5. Variable rate demand preferred stock

On March 11, 2015, the Fund completed a private offering of 1,330 shares of Series 1 Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock (“VRDPS”). Net proceeds from the offering were used by the Fund to repurchase outstanding shares of Series M Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (“ARCPS”) that had been accepted for payment pursuant to the tender offer (See Note 6). Offering costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the VRDPS issuance are being amortized to expense over the life of the VRDPS.

The table below summarizes the key terms of Series 1 of the VRDPS at May 31, 2023.

 

Series    Mandatory
Redemption Date
   Shares      Liquidation
Preference
Per Share
     Aggregate
Liquidation
Value
 
Series 1    3/11/2045      1,330      $ 50,000      $ 66,500,000  

The VRDPS shares are not listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. For financial reporting purposes, the VRDPS shares are considered debt of the Fund; therefore, the liquidation value, which approximates fair value of the VRDPS shares, is recorded as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Holders of VRDPS have the right to tender their VRDPS shares for remarketing at a price equal to the liquidation preference amount plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends and at a date which is no earlier than the seventh day following delivery of the notice to the tender and paying agent. The VRDPS shares include a liquidity feature that allows VRDPS holders to have their shares purchased by the liquidity provider with whom the Fund has contracted in the event of a failed remarketing where purchase orders are not sufficient in number to be matched with the sale orders. The Fund is required to redeem the VRDPS shares owned by the liquidity provider after six months of continuous, unsuccessful remarketing. The Fund pays a monthly remarketing fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of the liquidation value of each VRDPS share outstanding on the first calendar day of the preceding calendar month. These fees are shown as remarketing fees on the Statement of Operations.

Holders of VRDPS are entitled to receive monthly cumulative cash dividends, payable on the first business day of each calendar month, at a variable rate set weekly by the remarketing agent. The dividend rate is generally based upon a spread over a base rate and cannot exceed a maximum rate. In the event of a failed remarketing, the dividend rate will reset to the maximum rate. The maximum rate is determined, in part, based upon the long-term rating assigned to the VRDPS. In the event the Fund fails to make a scheduled dividend payment, all outstanding shares of the VRDPS are subject to mandatory tender.

Subject to certain conditions, the VRDPS shares may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of the Fund. The redemption price per share is equal to the liquidation value per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends. The Fund is required to redeem its VRDPS on the mandatory redemption date, March 11, 2045. In addition, the Fund is required to redeem certain of the VRDPS shares if the Fund fails to maintain certain asset coverage and rating agency guidelines.

 

 

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The Fund is a party to a fee agreement with the liquidity provider that requires monthly payment of an annual liquidity fee. These fees are shown as liquidity fees on the Statement of Operations. The fee agreement between the Fund and the liquidity provider is scheduled to terminate on June 23, 2023. The Fund has the right, which is exercisable 120 to 90 days prior to the scheduled termination date, to request that the liquidity provider extend the term of the agreement for an additional period. The Fund may also terminate the agreement early. In the event the fee agreement is not renewed or is terminated in advance, and the Fund does not enter into a fee agreement with an alternate liquidity provider, the VRDPS will be subject to mandatory purchase by the liquidity provider prior to the termination of the fee agreement. The Fund is required to redeem any VRDPS purchased by the liquidity provider six months after the purchase date.

The VRDPS ranks senior to the Fund’s outstanding common stock and on parity with any other preferred stock. The Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares of its common stock unless the Fund has declared and paid full cumulative dividends on the VRDPS, due on or prior to the date of the common stock dividend or distribution, and meets the VRDPS asset coverage and rating agency requirements.

The holders of the VRDPS have one vote per share and vote together with the holders of common stock of the Fund as a single class except on matters affecting only the holders of VRDPS or the holders of common stock. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, holders of the VRDPS have the right to elect two Directors of the Fund, voting separately as a class.

The annualized dividend rate for the VRDPS shares for the six months ended May 31, 2023 was 3.104%. VRDPS shares issued and outstanding remained constant during the six months ended May 31, 2023.

6. Auction rate cumulative preferred stock

As of May 31, 2023, the Fund had 184 shares of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series M (“Preferred Stock”) outstanding with 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.

On April 2, 1993, the Fund closed its public offering of 800 shares of $0.001 par value Preferred Stock, at an offering price of $50,000 per share. On July 20, 2007, the Fund acquired the Preferred Stock of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. On October 1, 1993, Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. closed its public offering of 900 shares of $0.001 par value Preferred Stock at an offering price of $50,000 per share.

On January 22, 2015, the Fund announced that it had commenced an issuer tender offer for up to 100% of its outstanding ARCPS at a price equal to 90% of the liquidation preference of $50,000 per share (or $45,000 per share), plus any unpaid dividends accrued through March 6, 2015, the expiration date of the tender offer.

The Fund’s tender offer was conditioned upon the Fund closing on the private offering of VRDPS with an aggregate liquidation preference at least equal to the aggregate liquidation preference of ARCPS accepted for tender.

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

On March 11, 2015, the Fund announced the final results for its issuer tender offer and all shares that were validly tendered and not withdrawn during the offering period were accepted for payment. The Fund accepted for payment 1,330 Series M ARCPS, which represented 78.24% of the outstanding ARCPS. The ARCPS that were not tendered remained outstanding.

On April 25, 2018, the Fund repurchased 2 Series M ARCPS in a private transaction at a price equal to 85% of the liquidation preference of $50,000 per share (or $42,500 per share), plus any unpaid dividends.

On June 4, 2018, the Fund repurchased 1 Series M ARCPS in a private transaction at a price equal to 85% of the liquidation preference of $50,000 per share (or $42,500 per share), plus any unpaid dividends.

On November 16, 2022, the Fund repurchased 155 Series M ARCPS in a private transaction at a price equal to 95% of the liquidation preference of $50,000 per share (or $47,500 per share), plus any unpaid dividends.

On March 1, 2023, the Fund repurchased 28 Series M ARCPS in a private transaction at a price equal to 95% of the liquidation preference of $50,000 per share (or $47,500 per share), plus any unpaid dividends.

The difference between the liquidation preference of the ARCPS and the actual purchase price of the tendered ARCPS was recognized by the Fund in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets as an increase in net assets applicable to common shares resulting from the tender and repurchase of the ARCPS by the Fund.

Dividend rates generally reset every 7 days and are determined by auction procedures. The dividend rate cannot exceed a certain maximum rate, including in the event of a failed auction. The maximum rate is calculated using the higher of 110% of the taxable equivalent of the short-term municipal bond rate and 110% of the prevailing 30 day AA commercial paper rate. The Fund may pay higher maximum rates if the rating of the Fund’s Preferred Stock were to be lowered by the rating agencies. To the extent capital gains and other taxable income are allocated to holders of Preferred Shares for tax purposes, the Fund will likely have to pay higher dividends to holders of Preferred Shares to compensate them for the increased tax liability to them resulting from such allocation. Due to failed auctions experienced by the Fund’s Preferred Stock starting on February 15, 2008, the Fund pays the applicable maximum rate. The dividend rates ranged from 4.304% to 7.118% during the six months ended May 31, 2023. At May 31, 2023, the dividend rate was 5.668%.

After each auction, the auction agent will pay to each broker/dealer, from monies the Fund provides, a participation fee. For the period of the report and for all previous periods since the ARCPS have been outstanding, the participation fee has been paid at the annual rate of 0.25% of the purchase price of the ARCPS that the broker/dealer places at the auction. However, on August 3, 2009 and December 28, 2009, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGM”) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., respectively, reduced their participation fee to an annual rate of 0.05% of the purchase price of the ARCPS, in the case of a failed auction. Effective June 1, 2010, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC reduced its participation fee to

 

 

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an annual rate of 0.10% of the purchase price of the ARCPS, in the case of a failed auction. For the six months ended May 31, 2023, the Fund paid $10,540 to participating broker/ dealers.

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 stock shareholders but vote separately as a class to elect two directors and on certain matters affecting the rights of the Fund’s 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. The Preferred Stock is otherwise not redeemable by holders of the shares. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset requirements would restrict the Fund’s ability to pay dividends to common shareholders.

7. Distributions to common shareholders subsequent to May 31, 2023

The following distributions to common shareholders have been declared by the Fund’s Board of Directors and are payable subsequent to the period end of this report:

 

Record Date      Payable Date      Amount  
5/23/2023      6/1/2023      $ 0.0430  
6/23/2023      7/3/2023      $ 0.0430  
7/24/2023      8/1/2023      $ 0.0430  
8/24/2023      9/1/2023      $ 0.0430  

8. Stock repurchase program

On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the Fund’s outstanding common stock when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The Board has directed management of the Fund to repurchase shares of common stock at such times and in such amounts as management reasonably believes may enhance stockholder value. The Fund is under no obligation to purchase shares at any specific discount levels or in any specific amounts. During the six months ended May 31, 2023 and the year ended November 30, 2022, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

9. Transactions with affiliated company

As defined by the 1940 Act, an affiliated company is one in which the Fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. The following company was considered an affiliated company for all or some portion of the six months ended May 31, 2023. The following transactions were effected in such company for the six months ended May 31, 2023.

 

     Affiliate
Value at

November 30,
2022
   

 

Purchased

   

 

Sold

 
 

Cost

    Shares    

Proceeds

    Shares  
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares   $ 17,104     $ 1,268,548       1,268,548     $ 1,257,820       1,257,820  

 

(cont’d)   Realized
Gain
(Loss)
    Dividend
Income
    Net Increase
(Decrease) in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Affiliate
Value at
May 31, 2023
 
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares         $ 835           $ 27,832  

10. Deferred capital losses

As of November 30, 2022, the Fund had deferred capital losses of $6,550,784, which have no expiration date, that will be available to offset future taxable capital gains.

11. Recent accounting pronouncement

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In January 2021 and December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01 and ASU No. 2022-06, with further amendments to Topic 848. The amendments in the ASUs provide optional temporary accounting recognition and financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021 for certain LIBOR settings and 2023 for the remainder. The ASUs are effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes the adoption of these ASUs will not have a material impact on the financial statements.

12. Other matter

The Fund’s investments, payment obligations, and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” which was the offered rate

 

 

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for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. In 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced its intention to cease compelling banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR after 2021. In addition, global regulators have announced that, with limited exceptions, no new LIBOR-based contracts should be entered into after 2021. In connection with the global transition away from LIBOR led by regulators and market participants, LIBOR is no longer published on a representative basis. Alternative references rates have been established in most major currencies. In March 2022, the U.S. federal government enacted legislation to establish a process for replacing LIBOR in certain existing contracts that do not already provide for the use of a clearly defined or practicable replacement benchmark rate as described in the legislation. Generally speaking, for contracts that do not contain a fallback provision as described in the legislation, a benchmark replacement recommended by the Federal Reserve Board effectively automatically replaced the USD LIBOR benchmark in the contract upon LIBOR’s cessation at the end of June 2023. The recommended benchmark replacement is based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, including certain spread adjustments and benchmark replacement conforming changes. Various industry groups are in the process of facilitating the transition away from LIBOR, but there remains uncertainty regarding the impact of the transition from LIBOR on the Fund’s transactions and the financial markets generally.

13. Reorganization

On February 13, 2023, the Fund announced approval by the Fund’s Board of Directors of a proposal to merge the Fund with and into Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. (“MMU”), subject to approval by the stockholders of each Fund. If approved, the merger is anticipated to occur during the third quarter of 2023. If the proposed merger is approved by the stockholders of each Fund, (i) common stockholders of the Fund would receive common stock of MMU, based on each Fund’s respective net asset value per share, (ii) holders of the Fund’s variable rate demand preferred stock (“VRDPS”) would receive shares of VRDPS of MMU with the same aggregate liquidation preference and terms of their respective VRDPS, and (iii) holders of the Fund and MMU’s auction rate preferred stock (“ARPS”) would have their shares redeemed in accordance with their terms in advance of the closing of the mergers. Any redemption of ARPS will be contingent upon all requisite shareholder approval of the merger. In lieu of issuing fractional shares of common stock, the Fund will receive cash in an amount equal to the value of the fractional shares of MMU’s common stock that the investor would otherwise have received in the merger.

14. Subsequent event

On July 17, 2023, the Fund announced that the Fund’s Special Meeting of Stockholders held on July 14, 2023, to approve the merger of the Fund with and into Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. (“MMU”) was being adjourned to permit further solicitation of proxies. The Special Meeting of Stockholders was adjourned to August 11, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time at the offices of Franklin Templeton at 280 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, New York. In addition, MMU announced the results of its Special Meeting of Stockholders held on July 14, 2023. Stockholders of MMU voted to approve the merger of the Fund with and into MMU in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law.

 

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Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited)

 

Background

The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), requires that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the “Fund”), including a majority of its members who are not considered to be “interested persons” under the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”) voting separately, approve on an annual basis the continuation of the investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) between the Fund and the Fund’s manager, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the “Manager”), and the sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between the Manager and Western Asset Management Company, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of the Manager, with respect to the Fund.

At an in-person meeting (the “Contract Renewal Meeting”) held on May 9-10, 2023, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered and approved the continuation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year period. To assist in its consideration of the renewal of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board received and considered extensive information (together with the information provided at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the “Contract Renewal Information”) about the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, as well as the management and sub-advisory arrangements for the Fund and the other closed-end funds in the same complex under the Board’s purview (the “Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason Closed-end Funds”), certain portions of which are discussed below.

A presentation made by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Board at the Contract Renewal Meeting in connection with the Board’s evaluation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement encompassed the Fund and other Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason Closed-end Funds. In addition to the Contract Renewal Information, the Board received performance and other information throughout the year related to the respective services rendered by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund. The Board’s evaluation took into account the information received throughout the year and also reflected the knowledge and experience gained as members of the Boards of the Fund and other Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason Closed-end Funds with respect to the services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. The information received and considered by the Board (including its various committees) in conjunction with both the Contract Renewal Meeting and throughout the year was both written and oral. The contractual arrangements discussed below are the product of multiple years of review and negotiation and information received and considered by the Board during each of those years.

At a meeting held on April 18, 2023, the Independent Directors, in preparation for the Contract Renewal Meeting, met in a private session with their independent legal counsel to review the Contract Renewal Information regarding the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason

 

 

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Closed-end Funds, including the Fund, received to date. No representatives of the Manager or the Sub-Adviser participated in this meeting. Following the April 18, 2023 meeting, the Independent Directors submitted certain questions and requests for additional information to Fund management. The Independent Directors also met in private sessions with their independent legal counsel to consider the Contract Renewal Information and Fund management’s responses to the Independent Directors’ questions and requests for additional information in advance of and during the Contract Renewal Meeting. The discussion below reflects all of these reviews.

The Manager provides the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services pursuant to the Management Agreement and the Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with investment sub-advisory services pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The discussion below covers both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by the Manager, each such function being encompassed by the Management Agreement, and the investment sub-advisory functions being rendered by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

Board Approval of Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement

The Independent Directors were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout the process. Prior to voting, the Independent Directors received a memorandum discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Independent Directors considered the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement separately during the course of their review. In doing so, they noted the respective roles of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser in providing services to the Fund.

In approving the continuation of the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered a variety of factors, including those factors discussed below. No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve the continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement. Each Director may have attributed different weight to the various factors in evaluating the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

After considering all relevant factors and information, the Board, exercising its reasonable business judgment, determined that the continuation of the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement were in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders and approved the continuation of each such agreement for an additional one-year period.

 

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Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services under the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement

The Board received and considered Contract Renewal Information regarding the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, during the past year. The Board noted information received at regular meetings throughout the year related to the services provided by the Manager in its management of the Fund’s affairs and the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Sub-Adviser and the Fund’s other service providers. The Board observed that the scope of services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, and of the undertakings required of the Manager and Sub-Adviser in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring their respective compliance programs as well as the Fund’s compliance programs had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. The Board also noted that on a regular basis it received and reviewed information from the Manager and the Sub-Adviser regarding the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures established pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board also considered the risks borne by the Manager, the Sub-Adviser and their respective affiliates on behalf of the Fund, including entrepreneurial, operational, reputational, litigation and regulatory risks, as well as the Manager’s and the Sub-Adviser’s risk management processes.

The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds, and responsibilities of the Manager’s senior personnel and the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board also considered, based on its knowledge of the Manager and its affiliates, the financial resources of Franklin Resources, Inc., the parent organization of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. The Board recognized the importance of having a fund manager with significant resources.

The Board considered the division of responsibilities between the Manager and the Sub-Adviser under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, including the Manager’s coordination and oversight of the services provided to the Fund by the Sub-Adviser and other fund service providers. The Management Agreement permits the Manager to delegate certain of its responsibilities, including its investment advisory duties thereunder, provided that the Manager, in each case, will supervise the activities of the delegee.

In reaching its determinations regarding continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board took into account that Fund stockholders, in pursuing their investment goals and objectives, may have purchased their shares of the Fund based upon the reputation and the investment style, philosophy and strategy of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, as well as the resources available to the Manager and the Sub-Adviser.

 

 

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The Board concluded that, overall, the nature, extent, and quality of the management and other services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Fund, under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement were satisfactory.

Fund Performance

The Board received and considered information regarding Fund performance, including information and analyses (the “Broadridge Performance Information”) for the Fund, as well as for a group of comparable funds (the “Performance Universe”) selected by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent third-party provider of investment company data. The Board was provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to determine the similarity of the Fund with the funds included in the Performance Universe. It was noted that while the Board found the Broadridge Performance Information generally useful, they recognized its limitations, including that the data may vary depending on the end date selected, and that the results of the performance comparisons may vary depending on the selection of the peer group and its composition over time. The Board also noted that Board members had received and discussed with the Manager and the Sub-Adviser information throughout the year at periodic intervals comparing the Fund’s performance against its benchmark and against the Fund’s peers. In addition, the Board considered the Fund’s performance in view of overall financial market conditions.

The Broadridge Performance Information comparing the Fund’s performance to that of its Performance Universe, consisting of the Fund and all leveraged closed-end general and insured municipal debt funds classified by Broadridge, regardless of asset size, showed, among other data, that based on net asset value per share, the Fund’s performance was above the median for the 1- and 3-year periods ended December 31, 2022, and was below the median for the 5- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2022. The Board noted the explanations from the Manager and the Sub-Adviser regarding the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe for the various periods. The Board also considered that they previously approved the Manager’s recommendation to reorganize the Fund into another closed-end fund overseen by the Board.

Based on the reviews and discussions of Fund performance and considering other relevant factors, including those noted above, the Board concluded, under the circumstances, that continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year period would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its stockholders.

Management and Sub-Advisory Fees and Expense Ratios

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual management fee (the “Contractual Management Fee”) and the actual management fee (the “Actual Management Fee”) payable by the Fund to the Manager under the Management Agreement and the sub-advisory fee (the “Sub-Advisory Fee”) payable by the Manager to the Sub-Adviser under the

 

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Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement in view of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, respectively. The Board noted that the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager, not the Fund, and, accordingly, that the retention of the Sub-Adviser does not increase the fees or expenses otherwise incurred by the Fund’s stockholders.

In addition, the Board received and considered information and analyses prepared by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Expense Information”) comparing the Contractual Management Fee and the Actual Management Fee and the Fund’s total actual expenses with those of funds in an expense group (the “Expense Group”), as well as a broader group of funds, each selected and provided by Broadridge. The comparison was based upon the constituent funds’ latest fiscal years. It was noted that while the Board found the Broadridge Expense Information generally useful, they recognized its limitations, including that the data may vary depending on the selection of the peer group.

The Broadridge Expense Information showed that the Fund’s Contractual Management Fee was below the median. The Broadridge Expense Information also showed that the Fund’s Actual Management Fee was above the median compared on the basis of common share assets and was equal to the median compared on the basis of leveraged assets. The Broadridge Expense Information also showed that the Fund’s actual total expenses were above the median based on both common share assets and leveraged assets. The Board took into account management’s discussion of the Fund’s expenses.

The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding fees charged by the Manager and/or the Sub-Adviser to other U.S. clients investing primarily in an asset class similar to that of the Fund, including, where applicable, institutional and separate accounts. The Manager reviewed with the Board the differences in services provided to these different types of accounts, noting that the Fund is provided with certain administrative services, office facilities, and Fund officers, and that the Fund is subject not only to heightened regulatory requirements relative to institutional clients but also to requirements for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, and that the Manager coordinates and oversees the provision of services to the Fund by other fund service providers. The Board considered the fee comparisons in view of the different services provided in managing these other types of clients and funds.

The Board considered the overall management fee, the fees of the Sub-Adviser and the amount of the management fee retained by the Manager after payment of the subadvisory fee in each case in view of the services rendered for those amounts. The Board also received an analysis of complex-wide management fees provided by the Manager, which, among other things, set out a framework of fees based on asset classes.

 

 

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Taking all of the above into consideration, as well as the factors identified below, the Board determined that the management fee and the Sub-Advisory Fee were reasonable in view of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively.

Manager Profitability

The Board, as part of the Contract Renewal Information, received an analysis of the profitability to the Manager and its affiliates in providing services to the Fund for the Manager’s fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021. The Board also received profitability information with respect to the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex as a whole. In addition, the Board received Contract Renewal Information with respect to the Manager’s revenue and cost allocation methodologies used in preparing such profitability data. It was noted that the allocation methodologies had been reviewed by an outside consultant. The profitability to the Sub-Adviser was not considered to be a material factor in the Board’s considerations since the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager, not the Fund, although the Board noted the affiliation of the Manager with the Sub-Adviser. The profitability of the Manager and its affiliates was considered by the Board to be reasonable in view of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.

Economies of Scale

The Board received and discussed Contract Renewal Information concerning whether the Manager realizes economies of scale if the Fund’s assets grow. The Board noted that because the Fund is a closed-end fund it has limited ability to increase its assets. The Board determined that the management fee structure was appropriate under the circumstances. For similar reasons as stated above with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s profitability and the costs of the Sub-Adviser’s provision of services, the Board did not consider the potential for economies of scale in the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund to be a material factor in the Board’s consideration of the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

Other Benefits to the Manager and the Sub-Adviser

The Board considered other benefits received by the Manager, the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund, including the opportunity to offer additional products and services to the Fund’s shareholders. In view of the costs of providing investment management and other services to the Fund and the ongoing commitment of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund, the Board considered that the ancillary benefits that the Manager and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were reasonable.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.    

 

 

45

 


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Additional shareholder information (unaudited)

 

Results of annual meeting of shareholders

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. was held on April 14, 2023, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the proposals presented at the Meeting. The following table provides information concerning the matters voted upon at the Meeting:

Election of Directors

 

Nominees   Common
Shares
and Preferred
Shares,
voting
together,
Voted FOR
Election
    Common
Shares
and Preferred
Shares,
voting
together,
WITHHELD
    Common
Shares
and Preferred
Shares,
voting
together,
ABSTAIN
    Preferred
Shares,
Voted FOR
Election
    Preferred
Shares,
WITHHELD
    Preferred
Shares,
ABSTAIN
 
Daniel P. Cronin     7,781,707       307,600       184,938       N/A       N/A       N/A  
Paolo M. Cucchi     7,784,614       312,251       177,380       N/A       N/A       N/A  
Jane Trust     N/A       N/A       N/A       1,375       0       0  

At May 31, 2023, in addition to Daniel P. Cronin, Paolo M. Cucchi and Jane Trust, the other Directors of the Fund were as follows:

Robert D. Agdern

Carol L. Colman

Eileen A. Kamerick

Nisha Kumar

Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accountants

To ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as independent registered public accountants of the Fund for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2023.

 

FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN
8,102,591   45,194   126,464

 

 

46

    Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.


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Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)

 

Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends and return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for the stockholders (the “Plan Agent”), in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the Plan by contacting the Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions paid by check mailed directly to you by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as dividend paying agent.

 

If you participate in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined as follows:

(1) If the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) on the payment date (or, if the payment date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) is equal to or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the payment date.

(2) If the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the payment date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the payment date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) rises so that it equals or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date before the Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the day prior to the issuance of shares for reinvestment or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.

Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the Plan. You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3078 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.    

 

 

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Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agent’s investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.

Plan participants who sell their shares will be charged a service charge (currently $5.00 per transaction) and the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred from the proceeds (currently $0.05 per share commission). There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Fund’s net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the Plan.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. The Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective. Upon any termination, you will be sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify the Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3078 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.

 

 

48

    Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.


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Western Asset

Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Directors

Robert D. Agdern

Carol L. Colman

Daniel P. Cronin

Paolo M. Cucchi

Eileen A. Kamerick

Nisha Kumar

Jane Trust

Chairman

Officers

Jane Trust

President and Chief Executive Officer

Christopher Berarducci

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

Fred Jensen

Chief Compliance Officer

George P. Hoyt

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Thomas C. Mandia

Senior Vice President

Jeanne M. Kelly

Senior Vice President

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue

47th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Investment manager

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

Subadviser

Western Asset Management Company, LLC

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

Transfer agent

Computershare Inc.

P.O. Box 43006

Providence, RI 02940-3078

Auction agent

Deutsche Bank

60 Wall Street

New York, NY 10005

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Baltimore, MD

Legal counsel

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

900 G Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

New York Stock Exchange Symbol

MNP


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Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice

 

Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the Legg Mason Funds

This Privacy and Security Notice (the “Privacy Notice”) addresses the Legg Mason Funds’ privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. The Legg Mason Funds include the Western Asset Money Market Funds sold by the Funds’ distributor, Franklin Distributors, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds. The provisions of this Privacy Notice apply to your information both while you are a shareholder and after you are no longer invested with the Funds.

The Type of Nonpublic Personal Information the Funds Collect About You

The Funds collect and maintain nonpublic personal information about you in connection with your shareholder account. Such information may include, but is not limited to:

 

 

Personal information included on applications or other forms;

 

 

Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions;

 

 

Bank account information, legal documents, and identity verification documentation; and

 

 

Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses.

How the Funds Use Nonpublic Personal Information About You

The Funds do not sell or share your nonpublic personal information with third parties or with affiliates for their marketing purposes, unless you have authorized the Funds to do so. The Funds do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you except as may be required to perform transactions or services you have authorized or as permitted or required by law.

The Funds may disclose information about you to:

 

 

Employees, agents, and affiliates on a “need to know” basis to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business or to comply with obligations to government regulators;

 

 

Service providers, including the Funds’ affiliates, who assist the Funds as part of the ordinary course of business (such as printing, mailing services, or processing or servicing your account with us) or otherwise perform services on the Funds’ behalf, including companies that may perform statistical analysis, market research and marketing services solely for the Funds;

 

 

Permit access to transfer, whether in the United States or countries outside of the United States to such Funds’ employees, agents and affiliates and service providers as required to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators;

 

 

The Funds’ representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators;

 

 

Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust.

 

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT


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Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

 

Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds’ behalf, including those outside the United States, are contractually obligated to keep nonpublic personal information the Funds provide to them confidential and to use the information the Funds share only to provide the services the Funds ask them to perform.

The Funds may disclose nonpublic personal information about you when necessary to enforce their rights or protect against fraud, or as permitted or required by applicable law, such as in connection with a law enforcement or regulatory request, subpoena, or similar legal process. In the event of a corporate action or in the event a Fund service provider changes, the Funds may be required to disclose your nonpublic personal information to third parties. While it is the Funds’ practice to obtain protections for disclosed information in these types of transactions, the Funds cannot guarantee their privacy policy will remain unchanged.

Keeping You Informed of the Funds’ Privacy and Security Practices

The Funds will notify you annually of their privacy policy as required by federal law. While the Funds reserve the right to modify this policy at any time, they will notify you promptly if this privacy policy changes.

The Funds’ Security Practices

The Funds maintain appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to guard your nonpublic personal information. The Funds’ internal data security policies restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to authorized employees, who may use your nonpublic personal information for Fund business purposes only.

Although the Funds strive to protect your nonpublic personal information, they cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you provide or transmit to them, and you do so at your own risk. In the event of a breach of the confidentiality or security of your nonpublic personal information, the Funds will attempt to notify you as necessary so you can take appropriate protective steps. If you have consented to the Funds using electronic communications or electronic delivery of statements, they may notify you under such circumstances using the most current email address you have on record with them.

In order for the Funds to provide effective service to you, keeping your account information accurate is very important. If you believe that your account information is incomplete, not accurate or not current, if you have questions about the Funds’ privacy practices, or our use of your nonpublic personal information, write the Funds using the contact information on your account statements, email the Funds by clicking on the Contact Us section of the Funds’ website at www.franklintempleton.com, or contact the Funds at 1-877-721-1926 for the Western Asset Money Market Funds or 1-888-777-0102 for the Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds.

Revised October 2022

 

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


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Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

 

Legg Mason California Consumer Privacy Act Policy

Although much of the personal information we collect is “nonpublic personal information” subject to federal law, residents of California may, in certain circumstances, have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). For example, if you are a broker, dealer, agent, fiduciary, or representative acting by or on behalf of, or for, the account of any other person(s) or household, or a financial advisor, or if you have otherwise provided personal information to us separate from the relationship we have with personal investors, the provisions of this Privacy Policy apply to your personal information (as defined by the CCPA).

In addition to the provisions of the Legg Mason Funds Security and Privacy Notice, you may have the right to know the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.

You also have the right to request the deletion of the personal information collected or maintained by the Funds.

If you wish to exercise any of the rights you have in respect of your personal information, you should advise the Funds by contacting them as set forth below. The rights noted above are subject to our other legal and regulatory obligations and any exemptions under the CCPA. You may designate an authorized agent to make a rights request on your behalf, subject to the identification process described below. We do not discriminate based on requests for information related to our use of your personal information, and you have the right not to receive discriminatory treatment related to the exercise of your privacy rights.

We may request information from you in order to verify your identity or authority in making such a request. If you have appointed an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf, or you are an authorized agent making such a request (such as a power of attorney or other written permission), this process may include providing a password/passcode, a copy of government issued identification, affidavit or other applicable documentation, i.e. written permission. We may require you to verify your identity directly even when using an authorized agent, unless a power of attorney has been provided. We reserve the right to deny a request submitted by an agent if suitable and appropriate proof is not provided.

For the 12-month period prior to the date of this Privacy Policy, the Legg Mason Funds have not sold any of your personal information; nor do we have any plans to do so in the future.

Contact Information

Address: Data Privacy Officer, 100 International Dr., Baltimore, MD 21202

Email: DataProtectionOfficer@franklintempleton.com

Phone: 1-800-396-4748

Revised October 2022

 

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT


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Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue

47th Floor

New York, NY 10018

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 stock.

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 as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. To obtain information on Form N-PORT, shareholders can call the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.

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 related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) at www.franklintempleton.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Fund may be found on Franklin Templeton’s website, which can be accessed at www.franklintempleton.com. Any reference to Franklin Templeton’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate Franklin Templeton’s website in this report.

This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund 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.

Computershare Inc.

P.O. Box 43006

Providence, RI 02940-3078

WASX010083 07/23 SR23-4677


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ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable.

 

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.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

On March 31, 2023 John Mooney became part of the portfolio management team of the Fund.

 

NAME AND ADDRESS

  

LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED

  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS

John Mooney

Western Asset

385 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101

   Since March 31, 2023    Responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the Fund’s portfolio management team; portfolio manager at Western Asset since 2005; prior to that time, Mr. Mooney was with Citigroup Asset Management, AIG/SunAmerica, and First Investors Management Company.

The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect to the above named fund’s investment professional responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the Fund’s portfolio management team for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of May 31, 2023.

Other Accounts Managed by Investment Professional

The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the fund) for which the below named fund’s investment professional has 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.


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Name of PM

  

Type of Account

   Number of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets
Managed
     Number of
Accounts

Managed for
which
Advisory Fee
is
Performance-Based
   Assets
Managed for
which
Advisory Fee
is
Performance-Based
   Other Registered Investment Companies      17      $ 9.20 billion      None    None

John Mooney‡

   Other Pooled Vehicles      4      $ 1.29 billion      None    None
   Other Accounts      13      $ 4.26 billion      None    None

 

The numbers above reflect the overall number of portfolios managed by employees of Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”). 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): Investment Professional Compensation

Conflicts of Interest

The Subadviser has adopted compliance policies and procedures to address a wide range of potential conflicts of interest that could directly impact client portfolios. For example, potential conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple portfolios (including portfolios 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 are 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 Subadviser or an affiliate has an interest in the account. The Subadviser has adopted procedures for allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities across multiple client accounts on a fair and equitable basis over time. Eligible accounts that can participate in a trade generally share the same price on a pro-rata allocation basis, taking into account differences based on factors such as cash availability, investment restrictions and guidelines, and portfolio composition versus strategy.

With respect to securities transactions, the Subadviser determines 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 Subadviser 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


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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. The Subadviser’s team approach to portfolio management and block trading approach seeks to limit this potential risk.

The Subadviser also maintains a gift and entertainment policy to address the potential for a business contact to give gifts or host entertainment events that may influence the business judgment of an employee. Employees are permitted to retain gifts of only a nominal value and are required to make reimbursement for entertainment events above a certain value. All gifts (except those of a de minimis value) and entertainment events that are given or sponsored by a business contact are required to be reported in a gift and entertainment log which is reviewed on a regular basis for possible issues.

Employees of the Subadviser have access to transactions and holdings information regarding client accounts and the Subadviser’s overall trading activities. This information represents a potential conflict of interest because employees may take advantage of this information as they trade in their personal accounts. Accordingly, the Subadviser maintains a Code of Ethics that is compliant with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act to address personal trading. In addition, the Code of Ethics seeks to establish broader principles of good conduct and fiduciary responsibility in all aspects of the Subadviser’s business. The Code of Ethics is administered by the Legal and Compliance Department and monitored through the Subadviser’s compliance monitoring program.

The Subadviser may also face other potential conflicts of interest with respect to managing client assets, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist. The Subadviser also maintains a compliance monitoring program and engages independent auditors to conduct a SOC1/ISAE 3402 audit on an annual basis. These steps help to ensure that potential conflicts of interest have been addressed.

Investment Professional Compensation

With respect to the compensation of the Fund’s investment professionals, the Subadviser’s compensation system assigns each employee a total compensation range, which is derived from annual market surveys that benchmark each role with its 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, the Subadviser’s employees are eligible for bonuses. These are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the Subadviser, and are determined by the professional’s job function and pre-tax performance as measured by a formal review process. All bonuses are completely discretionary. The principal factor considered is an investment professional’s investment performance versus appropriate peer groups and benchmarks (e.g., a securities index and with respect to the Fund, the benchmark set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus to which the Fund’s average annual total returns are compared or, if none, the benchmark set forth in the Fund’s annual report). Performance is reviewed on a 1, 3 and 5 year basis for compensation—with 3 and 5 years having a larger emphasis. The Subadviser may also measure an investment professional’s pre-tax investment performance against other benchmarks, as it determines appropriate. Because investment professionals are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the Fund) with similar investment strategies, they are generally compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of similar accounts, rather than a specific account. Other factors that may be considered when making bonus decisions include client service, business development, length of service to the Subadviser, management or supervisory responsibilities, contributions to developing business strategy and overall contributions to the Subadviser’s business.

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


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Investment Professional Securities Ownership

The table below identifies the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by the named investment professional as of May 31, 2023.

 

Investment Professional

   Dollar Range of
Portfolio
Securities
Beneficially
Owned

John Mooney

   A

Dollar Range ownership is as follows:

A: none

B: $1 - $10,000

C: 10,001 - $50,000

D: $50,001 - $100,000

E: $100,001 - $500,000

F: $500,001 - $1 million

G: over $1 million

 

ITEM 9.

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

Not applicable.

 

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 period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12.

DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable


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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 Inc.
By:  

/s/ Jane Trust

  Jane Trust
  Chief Executive Officer
Date:   July 26, 2023

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/ Jane Trust

  Jane Trust
  Chief Executive Officer
Date:   July 26, 2023
By:  

/s/ Christopher Berarducci

  Christopher Berarducci
  Principal Financial Officer
Date:   July 26, 2023

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

EX-99.CERT

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Jane Trust, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

  a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

  b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: July 26, 2023      

/s/ Jane Trust

      Jane Trust
      Chief Executive Officer


CERTIFICATIONS

I, Christopher Berarducci, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial information included in this report, and the financial statements on which the financial information is based, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

  a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

  b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: July 26, 2023      

/s/ Christopher Berarducci

      Christopher Berarducci
      Principal Financial Officer

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

EX-99.906CERT

CERTIFICATION

Jane Trust, Chief Executive Officer, and Christopher Berarducci, Principal Financial Officer of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the “Registrant”), each certify to the best of their knowledge that:

1. The Registrant’s periodic report on Form N-CSR for the period ended May 31, 2023 (the “Form N-CSR”) fully complies with the requirements of section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

Chief Executive Officer     Principal Financial Officer
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.     Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

/s/ Jane Trust

   

/s/ Christopher Berarducci

Jane Trust     Christopher Berarducci
Date: July 26, 2023     Date: July 26, 2023

This certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Form N-CSR with the Commission.


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