Republicans filing brief in support of Pawlenty's unallotment appeal

A group of Republican state lawmakers say they'll file a "friend of the court" brief in support of Governor Pawlenty's decision to unilaterally cut the budget.

A Ramsey County Judge ruled last month that Pawlenty overstepped his authority and reinstated funding for a food program for low-income Minnesotans. The governor appealed that ruling.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer said he and 31 other Republicans will sign on to the brief supporting Pawlenty.

"The judiciary should apply the facts to the law and then be done," Emmer said. "In this case we have a judiciary applying the facts to the law but then saying 'I think it should be this way."

Emmer said no state funds will pay for their brief. He criticized House Democrats for spending up to $50,000 on their own brief that opposes Pawlenty.

The DFL Majority Leader of the Minnesota House said Democrats are standing up for the constitutional separation of powers.

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