Magnuson resigns as chief justice
Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson announced today that he will step down from the state's highest court on June 30.
Magnuson, 59, has been on the job since June 1, 2008. He made the following comment in a news release:
"It has been my privilege to serve as Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court for the past two years," Magnuson said in a letter to Governor Tim Pawlenty. "I have found the position to be both challenging and rewarding. However, for reasons personal to me and my family, I have decided to step down and return to private practice."
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Gov. Pawlenty issued this statement about Magnuson:
"Leading Minnesota's judicial system and heading our highest court is an extremely important and tough job. Chief Justice Magnuson has served in this role over the past two years with great diligence, thoughtfulness, and fairness. Minnesota thanks him for his service."
The state supreme court is scheduled to hear arguments Monday in Pawlenty's appeal of a lower court ruling that challenged his unallotment authority. Pawlenty's spokesman, Brian McClung, said that under those circumstances it would be inappropriate for the governor to make any additional comments regarding Magnuson.