ST. PAUL, Minn. — As support for the community activist group ACORN withered in Congress in the wake of a hidden-camera scandal, Republican governors and other state officials moved swiftly to sever ties. It turns out the group often commanded little — if any — state business.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, seen as a possible 2012 GOP presidential candidate, directed his budget commissioner to stop all state funding to ACORN except where "the state is legally obligated to provide such funding." None of Minnesota's money was going to the group, and hadn't for more than a year.

An order from Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, also seen as a possible 2012 contender, resulted in blocking two possible ACORN social services contracts worth a combined $13,750.

ACORN's loss of federal contracts will cost it millions, but an Associated Press survey found 37 states with no known active ties to the group and just one current contract: $365,000 for foreclosure counseling in New York, now on hold pending a 30-day review ordered by Democratic Gov. David Paterson. Officials in five other states still were checking their databases.