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Minn. AG Says Courts Should Stay Open In Shutdown

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson is asking a judge to order that Minnesota's courts continue to operate if state government shuts down on July 1.

Swanson filed the petition in Ramsey County District Court Friday. She says a shutdown of the judicial branch "would deprive Minnesota citizens of the rights guaranteed under the Minnesota and United States Constitutions."

The shutdown is looming as Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders have failed to agree on a new two-year state budget that must be in place July 1 to avoid a shutdown. Dayton has also argued in laying out his list of critical services in a shutdown that courts should continue to operate.

A hearing on the governor's and attorney general's shutdown petitions is scheduled for June 23.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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