Two progressive Minnesota organizations -- Common Cause Minnesota and Growth & Justice -- have asked Gov. Tim Pawlenty to open up the unallotment process by disclosing all input and lobbying efforts directed at the governor’s office to influence unallotment decisions. They also asked for a "reasonable" public comment period, allowing citizens to react to proposed unallotments.

The groups note that current law requires only minimal disclosure of unallotment decisions, including a 15-day notice to the Legislative Advisory Commission, made up of top legislative leaders.

They'd like to see that expanded, with more disclosure and public input to adhere "to the spirit and not just the letter of Minnesota laws that require openness."

"The unallotment process has been used sparingly in recent decades for emergencies in the midst of budget periods," the groups say. "But unallotment has never been used on such a broad front at the beginning of a budget period to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in public appropriations. That money provides economic security and long-term economic investment for millions of Minnesotans."

In the letter, Dane Smith, president of Growth & Justice, writes:

“The unallotment process is unfamiliar to most Minnesotans and yet they will be affected enormously by the unallotments that your office imposes in coming months. It is crucial that this process be open and transparent so that all stakeholders respect the outcome.”