Minn. judge rules against Pawlenty on budget cuts

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — 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.

An attorney for Pawlenty had argued that the state would have trouble paying its bills if the administration lost because others hit by cuts would see it as an invitation to file similar lawsuits.

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