The Daily News

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Six Minnesota residents sued Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday over unilateral budget cuts he made without legislative approval, alleging he violated state laws and the state constitution.

The lawsuit filed in Ramsey County District Court names the Republican governor and three of his cabinet members. It seeks class-action status for everyone who will lose state aid for medically prescribed diets or get smaller property tax refunds for renters.

The case will test Pawlenty’s use of an obscure executive power called unallotment.

Advertisement

He used the authority to slice $2.7 billion from the state’s two-year budget after he and lawmakers failed to erase a deficit during the legislative session that ended in May. Pawlenty vetoed tax increases approved by the Democrats who control the Legislature, opting to cut more spending and delay payments to schools to balance the budget.

Pawlenty reduced property tax refunds for renters and eliminated funding for the special diet program starting Nov. 1.

 

Comments

Larry wrote on Nov 5, 2009 11:48 PM:

" Always wondered why MN renters get a tax refund for paying rent. The landlord pays all the property tax, plus income tax if they make any money. The renters pay zero property tax and they get a refund. Makes no sense to me. Don't see that in ND. "




Report Abuse

OMG wrote on Nov 4, 2009 2:39 PM:

" Shane: Do some research before spouting off on something you obviously know NOTHING about! Have you ever seen a person who's life is dependent on feeding tubes through which is sent live-saving nourishment that is not available at your local grocery store?!?!? Please think before you speak! Not all people are "forever" dependent on this type of feeding, but for those who are recovering from illness, accidents, etc... THIS MEANS LIFE OR DEATH!!! Think before you speak!! Good luck on getting the funding back for this, MN Residents! "




Report Abuse

Mrs.A.F.Hubbard wrote on Nov 1, 2009 10:28 AM:

" This is a disaster in the making! People needing the liquid diet [as my husband did for several months after his stroke in 1990,will die if that is their only way to get nourishment] We also need the renter's refund as we live on just Social Security, which does not meet all our needs, so we go without many things. I hope this lawsuit is successful against the Gov. "




Report Abuse

shane wrote on Nov 1, 2009 9:48 AM:

" State aid for medically prescribed diets? WHY should the states tax money ever go to pay for this? A medical diet? This is a waiste of tax payers money, and to top it off now we will waiste more money on a lawsuit.
So I guess I should file a lawsuit against the Six Minnesota residents for waisting my courts time and waisting even money tax dollars.
When will people stop these stupid lawsuits that waiste time and money from an court system that cost more tax dollars. "




Report Abuse