ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Lawyers for the Minnesota House spell out in a 34-page brief why they believe Gov. Tim Pawlenty misused a state law to enact budget cuts without legislative consent.
The brief filed Friday supports a lawsuit challenging some of the $2.7 billion in cuts made by Pawlenty. Specifically, six plaintiffs want a court to restore money for food assistance and property tax credits for the poor.
The brief was authorized on a party-line vote by a Democratic controlled committee and written by nonpartisan staff.
It warns that allowing the cuts to stand would give governors "unfettered discretion" to invoke a rarely used budget-cutting authority intended for fiscal emergencies.
A judge is currently considering whether to stop the cuts while the case moves forward.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
