Pawlenty Orders Planning for Halt in Services

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is warning of

"an imminent and severe cash flow crisis" in an executive order

that requires agency commissioners to plan for state service

interruptions.

An executive order Pawlenty signed Friday and obtained by The

Associated Press said his cabinet members should identify core

functions pertaining to "life, health and safety of Minnesota

citizens."

Pawlenty's cabinet was to meet later to discuss the plans for

temporarily shutting down parts of government. The meeting follows

a state Supreme Court ruling that overturned Pawlenty's 2009 budget

cuts.

While the ruling affected only a sliver of his $2.7 billion

cuts, state leaders worry that groups hit by the reductions will

ask a court to replenish their funds as well.

Tags: daily updates, news, minnesota, government, tim, pawlenty