Minn. high court tosses shutdown spending lawsuit

The Minnesota Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit from Republican state senators who argued that a district court lacked authority to order continued state spending during last summer's government shutdown.

Six of the seven high court justices agreed in a ruling issued Wednesday that the question is moot since the July shutdown only lasted 20 days. But Justice Alan Page dissented, and says the court should settle the question once and for all since future state shutdowns are possible.

Republican Sen. Warren Limmer and colleagues had sued to block the court-ordered spending on items a judge ruled essential to preserving the health and safety of citizens. The senators argued that only the executive and legislative branches of state government have the authority to order spending of state dollars.

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