Possible Reversal of Pawlenty Unallotment

Earlier this year governor Tim Pawlenty cut the state's budget by going around the legislature. Now a judge is considering a request from some groups that lost funding to reverse those cuts.

Those cuts have impacted so many people. But it's a group of elderly and disabled people who have filed a lawsuit against the governor's actions.

This all stems from governor Pawlenty's executive cuts last may. Now a lawsuit is attempting to restore money to a food program for the poor that's facing a 5.3 million dollar cut.

A judge heard the argument in court Monday. The elderly group's lawyer said Pawlenty misused the unallotment law, which has typically been used on an emergency basis. This time, the cuts were announced at the beginning of the budget year.

Pawlenty has used the unallotment law twice before, and won a lawsuit attempting to block cuts he made in 2003.

The judge said a case involving constitutional separation of powers gives her extra reason to "tread very lightly," and she is likely just a stop on the way to appellate courts.

Other politicians are jumping on board just before the court appearance. The house rules committee voted to support the lawsuit.

The judge did not say when she would make her ruling.

Other politicians are jumping on board, just before the court appearance. The house rules committee voted to support the lawsuit. The judge did not say when she would make her ruling.