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State Representative John Lesch
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4224
For more information contact: Nick Halter 651-297-1934
Press/News Releases
Governor Checked
By a 4-3 decision the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that Governor Pawlenty’s unallotment of a nutrition program last year was illegal. The majority opinion stated that without a completely balanced budget the Governor has no authority to unallot. State Rep. John Lesch (DFL- St. Paul) had the following to say:
“Today the Minnesota Supreme Court reaffirmed the rule of law and gave citizens a renewed faith in our Constitutional Republic. In our 8 years of recurring budget shortfalls, much has been made of state government’s inability to fairly balance our budget short of shifts, gimmicks, tax pledges and political gamesmanship. While reasonable people may disagree on whom our budget should most benefit, our judiciary made clear that one branch does not get to decide who those beneficiaries are.
In Minnesota, we don’t have a king. We are a Constitutional Republic whose sovereignty is divided into three coequal branches where accountability is ensured through checks and balances. This morning, the Governor was checked. The high court’s ruling rejected the governor’s go-it-alone tactics expressly, holding that he could not unallot a budget which was not legally passed by the legislative branch and signed by the executive branch.
It is time to fairly address the issues which affect Minnesotans: quality schools, clean water, good jobs and safe communities. The Supreme Court’s strong stand on the rule of law will place us on the right track toward a balanced discussion of those needs."
News Items
- Rep. Lesch, Senator John Marty and Revenue Commissioner Frans to talk tax reform with area residents at St. Paul town hall meeting - (Posted: 2012-12-12 00:00:00)
- Rep. Lesch Named Chair of the House Civil Law Committee - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- EARTH DAY A CHANCE FOR REFLECTION, ACTION - (Posted: 2012-04-17 00:00:00)
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