Pawlenty loses in judge's ruling on his budget cuts.

[Eric J in MN]

A Minnesota judge has ordered the state to reinstate money for a food program that Gov. Tim Pawlenty cut from the budget, saying he acted unconstitutionally.

Several people in the program for the poor sought an injunction to restore money while their court case proceeds

Ramsey County District Judge Kathleen Gearin granted their wish in an order on Wednesday. Her temporary restraining order keeps the money intact indefinitely.

The case stems from $2.7 billion in cuts the Republican governor announced this summer to balance the budget. He took the action using an executive power that allows the governor to trim spending on his own. He and the Democratic-controlled Legislature failed to agree on a budget.

http://www.startribune.com/local/80369612.html

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Excellent!

Suck on THAT, Timmy.

[Owl]

2. Fantastic news!

[Scruffy1]

3. As usual the stribs wording is biased

"using an executive power that allows the governor to trim spending on his own" ? This was clearly an unconstitutional act and no judge in Minnesota will enforce it. Strange how the democratic leadership wasn't yelling fire from the rooftops about this, but had to rely on someone else to challenge it. This moron T-Paw must get his legal advice from Alberto the real estate lawyer.

[dflprincess]

4. I guess there is an executive power that allows the governor to make spending cuts

but it's the way Timmy used it that is unconstitutional.

As I understand it, it can only be used in an emergency. So, if for some reason, no one had honestly seen the budget shortfall coming and cuts had to be made immediately, then the governor may do that. But in this case everyone knew about the shortfall and Timmy vetoed bills that may have dealt with it, this was not an emergency situation and the executive branch did not have the right to make cuts without the legislature.

[dpbrown]

5. What doublespeak! After vetoing a balanced budget, Pawlenty unilaterally stripped spending himself

Pawlenty misused an emergency power to remedy a problem that he created!

Hey, Star Tribune! Tell your New York corporate masters to let you tell the truth!

[WhiteTara]

6. wow. All this great news on the eve of

the new decade. Maybe there is hope after all.

[dodger501]

7. Better get busy, Tim

Have to keep those right-wing bona-fides rolling, dontcha know . . .

[dodger501]

8. Well, that didn't take long:

Pawlenty will appeal:

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

[dflprincess]

9. I just saw him on WCCO's news mewling about this

Just how much will his appeal cost the state?