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Governor Pawlenty says he plans to appeal a judge's ruling that restores funding for a $5.3 million food program that he cut earlier this year.  A Ramsey County judge ruled yesterday that Pawlenty overstepped his legal authority by unilaterally cutting money for the program.  The ruling only affects the program but could have broader implications on the state budget.  Pawlenty said this morning that the judge misapplied and misinterpreted the law:

Pawlenty said he will ask Democrats who control the Legislature to agree to formalize a $1.7 billion delay in payments to schools.  He also didn't rule out making additional cuts on his own to resolve the state's ongoing budget problems.

Here's the video of the first portion of his news conference:

Here's the q and a with reporters (I apologize that you can't hear the questions):

  DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, who is also running for governor, said she isn't surprised Pawlenty is appealing the ruling.  But she said it will be problamatic if Pawlenty won't agree to tax increases to balance the budget:

GOP House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers praised Pawlenty for appealing the decision.  He predicted a difficult session if Democrats in the Legislature don't stop pushing tax increases:

  A spokesman for Senate DFLers declined comment and declined to make anyone else available on Pawlenty's statement because they haven't received anything in writing from Pawlenty and didn't see his news conference.

 Here's the text of Pawlenty's letter to DFL legislative leaders:

Politics and Government News

Capitol View®

Tom Scheck

Author

Pawlenty called the judge's decision on unallotment "misapplied and misinterpreted."

Pawlenty to appeal ruling

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