Pawlenty will appeal judge's ruling on unallotment

[wellstone dem]

Source: Minneapolis Tribune

Saying a judge overreached and misinterpreted the law, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Thursday he will appeal a ruling that challenged his unilateral budget cuts imposed this summer.

"The judge has inserted herself into a political dispute," Pawlenty said at a news conference.

....



Ramsey County District Judge Kathleen Gearin said that unallotment is constitutional but that Pawlenty misused it by making unilateral cuts after the legislature had adjourned.

In the ruling, Gearin said: "The authority of the governor to unallot is an authority intended to save the state in times of a previously unforeseen budget crisis. It is not meant to be used as a weapon by the executive branch to break a stalemate in budget negotiations with the Legislature or to rewrite the appropriations bill."

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/80427142.html?page=1&c=y

---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXxAo2LzOUA LInk to interview with DAvid Lillehaug (Franken Attorney)

http://www.minnpost.com/ericblack/2009/12/30/14596/bulletin_judge_grants_order_temporarily_restraining_pawlentys_use_of_unallotment

LInk to more about court order

http://www.mncourts.gov/Documents/2/Public/Civil/1%20pawlenty%2012209/Plaintiff_Motion_for_Temporary_Restraining_Order___Granted.pdf

link to order