Legislature asks court to enforce order that restored funding

The legislature filed a motion with Ramsey County District Court Wednesday requesting the court enforce or clarify the July 20, 2017 judgment. In that ruling, Judge John Guthmann voided Governor Dayton’s line-item vetoes and restored funding for the House and Senate. The district court judgment is still in effect and the Supreme Court has not overturned it.

“Since October 1, 2017 Governor Dayton and Commissioner Frans have been ignoring a court order, forcing the legislature to spend down its carry-forward funds,” said Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa. “Today’s motion simply asks Judge Guthmann to enforce his July 20 judgment declaring Governor Dayton’s vetoes unconstitutional, giving us access to our rightful funding. We need clarity and we need the Governor to stop ignoring the judgment won by the legislature in district court.”

“201 senators and representatives serve communities across the state, providing a voice for everyday Minnesotans in the lawmaking process. It does not serve those communities well to have a legislature running on fumes, limiting constituent services and resorting to extreme measures to keep the lights on,” said Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown. “It is time for Governor Dayton to recognize Judge Guthmann’s judgment voiding his line-item vetoes and fund the legislature, a co-equal branch of government.”

You can download copies of the motion and supporting materials here, here, and here.