A Democratic Party activist is asking a judge to prevent the state from extending changes in welfare eligibility screening to 13 northern Indiana counties.

A lawsuit by LaPorte attorney Shaw Friedman names Republican Governor Mitch Daniels and Secretary Mitch Roob of the Family and Social Services Administration. The suit is asking for preliminary and permanent injunctions that would bar FSSA from making its next scheduled rollout of the welfare changes in northwest and north central Indiana.

Roob says the lawsuit is "baseless and politically motivated."

The complaint alleges that FSSA has not adequately told welfare clients that they still have a right to face-to-face interviews with state case workers. LaPorte Circuit Judge Thomas Alevizos set a hearing for September 2nd.