Minnesota Supreme Court
HOME Line is still trying to assess the situation. You can help out. Email homework@homelinemn.org if you see any analysis you think brings clarity to the situation.
We are certain of the following:
- Governor Pawlenty’s unallotment of the Renters’ Credit was illegal. (Along with $2.7 billion in other cuts, he unilaterally decided to extract $51 million from Minnesota renters’ budgets this August. The Supreme Court said yesterday that he had no right to do that.)
- Many leaders in the Minnesota Legislature have publicly said they would have made different decisions than the Governor on how to balance the state budget.
- Many of those same leaders are vocal advocates for the Property Tax Refund, which includes the Renters’ Credit.
Check this post throughout the day for links to news analysis as well as more complete thoughts on what citizens can do to keep the Renters’ Credit whole.
Useful links:
- Finance & Commerce: Court says ‘no’ to unallotment
- Minnesota Budget Project: Legislative Session nears end: Where does the budget stand?
- MinnPost: The Supreme Court’s unallotment decision was predictable
- Politics in Minnesota: Unallotment aftermath: Legislative leaders hold initial budget talks with the Governor
- Star Tribune: Court upends Pawlenty’s solo cuts
- Star Tribune: History of animosity makes task of quick cuts at the Capitol tougher
