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Associated Press - October 29, 2009 6:44 PM ET
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Six Minnesota residents are suing Gov. Tim Pawlenty over budget cuts he made earlier this year without legislative approval.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in Ramsey County District Court alleges that Pawlenty's use of executive powers to cut spending violated state laws and the Minnesota constitution.
The Republican governor used his executive authority to slice $2.7 billion from state spending.
Reductions included money for a special diet program for low-income residents and property tax refunds for renters.
The six plaintiffs all have low incomes and receive benefits from one or both programs. They are seeking class-action status so their lawsuit can include everyone who will lose money from the two programs.
3 of Pawlenty's cabinet members are also named in the lawsuit.
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