Ramsey County District Judge Kathleen Gearin's order Wednesday blocking one piece of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's midsummer unallotment is far from the final word on the topic -- even from her. It's a temporary injunction, blocking just one of several dozen spending items Pawlenty sought to unilaterally ax, or "unallot," to balance the state's 2010-11 budget. Gearin's hearing on the full merits of the suit that challenges his use of statutory unallotment power isn't scheduled until March 1.

Still, Gearin's order signals that Pawlenty's solo budgeting won't get an easy blessing from the courts. Nor should it. Pawlenty employed unallotment authority in an unprecedented way -- at the beginning of a budget cycle, as part of the budget-setting process, rather than as a mid-cycle correction, as previous governors have done. If his action passes legal muster, it will represent a considerable enlargement of executive branch power over the public purse, and diminution of the legislative branch's authority. It's a situation that's ripe for review by the state's judicial branch, and ultimately by the Minnesota Supreme Court.

Gearin signalled that Pawlenty has a constitutional fight on his hands, one that could undo the $2.7 billion in payment delays and spending cuts he imposed last July 1. Add that situation to the Dec. 3 forecast that the 2010-11 budget is already running $1.2 billion short, and one thing is increasingly clear: A major budgetary repair job will be required of the governor and Legislature in 2010.

Some legislators -- particularly a few gubernatoral candidates -- and, very likely, a 2012-minded governor had been hoping that the coming legislative session would be short and uncomplicated. Gearin's order makes it unlikely that they will get their wish.