Lawsuit Over MN Budget Cuts

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration has until Tuesday to explain to the Minnesota Supreme Court why his 2009 budget cuts were legal.

State lawyers representing Pawlenty have a deadline for filing a brief to the high court over his so-called unallotments. Pawlenty is appealing a lower court ruling that said he went too far in balancing the budget on his own.

A Ramsey County judge ordered him to restore money for a nutrition program for elderly and disabled residents with low incomes. The case put $2.7 billion in budget moves in doubt.

Pawlenty has said he properly used his executive powers, while Democratic lawmakers and others say he stretched the limits as a way around the Legislature.

The Supreme Court hears the case in March.

Tags: tim pawlenty, budget, lawsuit