Minn. lawyers seek to block cuts to justice system

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - With state government facing a $6.2 billion

budget shortfall, Minnesota lawyers are campaigning to protect the

justice system from further cuts.

The initiative is called 1,000 Supporters. The Minnesota State

Bar Association says it's a group of more than 1,000 attorneys

working to secure adequate funding for the state's courts, legal

aid and public defenders.

In a letter to members this week, association president Terry

Votel (voh-TEL') and Chief Justice Lorie Gildea (GILL'-day) say

Minnesota's justice system is already strained to the breaking

point. They say that if the system is cut further, it will begin to

break down.

Gildea's predecessor, Eric Magnuson, led efforts to blunt court

cuts proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

The new chairman of the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee,

Warren Limmer, has also said Minnesota's judiciary should be

spared.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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