Judge Rules What's Essential in Minnesota Government Shutdown

State aid to cities and school districts must continue during a , according to a ruling Wednesday morning by Ramsey County District Court Judge Kathleen Gearin.

The ruling states that the Minnesota constitution requires a “general and uniform system of public schools” and that this provision makes funding education a critical core function of government. Consequently, it appears that education aid payments will continue to flow to school districts—those payments account for the majority of the Edina School District's annual budget. 

At the same time, it appears that the ruling will accept most of the Governor’s petition, which basically shuts down the Minnesota Department of Education.  

Basic care for Minnesotans in prison, nursing and veterans home, and state hospitals, will also continue to receive state funding, Gearin said in the ruling.  Gearin also appointed former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz as special master to hear petitions for state funding or services and make recommendations to the court.

The order portion of the ruling starts on page 16 in the PDF above.