Farmers sue state over raid on funds State officials violated the U.S. and state constitutions when they took money from a trio of agriculture funds to balance the state budget, farm interests charge in a new lawsuit. It's the latest blow against the budget, which has drawn complaints far and wide as agencies and the people who rely on them grapple with cuts in state funding. In this case, farm groups say the state was wrong to "sweep" the money in agriculture funds and use it to shore up the state's general fund for the budget year that ended June 30. The money is voluntarily contributed by farmers and growers to pay for research grants and held in trust by the state treasurer until the grants are awarded....