Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a petition in Ramsey County Court today asking for the legal authority to continue to fund essential state government services in the event of a state shutdown. Due to the inability of the Minnesota Legislature and the Governor to reach a budget agreement during the legislative session, the state government will shut down on July 1, unless a deal on how to solve the state's $5 billion deficit is reached before then.

Swanson asked the court to allow the executive branch to continue funding essential services until a final budget is negotiated. She also requested that a special master be appointed to help determine what services continue to be funded. She recommended former state Supreme Court Justice James Gilbert for that job.

Swanson argued that core state services, including prisons and sex offender treatment centers, veterans homes, homeland security and emergency management, and health care services for over 600,000 low-income seniors, people with disabilities, pregnant women and children, should be allowed to continue, as well as public welfare programs that receive federal funding and aid. She stated that the termination of those services would violate the rights guaranteed to Minnesota citizens under state and federal constitutions.

Go here for more information or to read the petition.