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Minn. House Picks Lawyer For Shutdown Litigation

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Republican-controlled House is turning to a former state Supreme Court chief justice to represent its interests in court proceedings over a looming government shutdown.

The House Rules Committee on Tuesday authorized Speaker Kurt Zellers to hire Eric Magnuson, who headed Minnesota's top court and last year represented Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer in a statewide recount.

House Majority Leader Matt Dean says Magnuson will argue for keeping the House running in a shutdown so lawmakers can pass a budget. Dean says Magnuson's charge also includes opposing Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton's push to order budget talks into mediation.

Senate GOP caucus spokesman Michael Brodkorb says the Senate has yet to pick a lawyer.

The House panel also approved cuts to expense payments, postage and other member perks in a shutdown.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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