Minn. House approves limits on gov's budget power

The Minnesota House has voted to limit the power of governors to cut spending single-handedly.

The bill passed 87-43.

It says a governor could cut no more than 2 percent of the state's general fund on his or her own. No single program could be cut more than 10 percent.

The proposal stems from the cuts Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty made last year without legislative approval. The state Supreme Court found last week that he exceeded his authority, but the bill wouldn't affect those cuts.

Earlier this year, Pawlenty vowed to protect his authority to cut the budget.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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