house Democrats in the Minnesota Legislature The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that lawmakers are threatening to withdraw from the first two weeks of the legislative session that begins on January 14, deepening the political dispute.
If Democrats fail to show up, Republicans will not have the quorum — the minimum number of people required — they need to legislate, The Star Tribune reported. Meanwhile, Republicans are weighing whether they should use their one-seat advantage in the House to reject the appointment of a Democratic lawmaker facing a court challenge to his electoral victory.
originally, Minnesota House It was supposed to be split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, but a state judge ruled in December that newly elected Democrat, Curtis Johnson, was ineligible to hold his seat because he did not live in his Roseville-area district. A special election to fill the seat is scheduled for January 28, but Republicans will have the advantage until then.
House Speaker Melissa Hortman (Brooklyn Park-36B) leads a session of the Minnesota Legislature at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. (Getty Images)
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Democratic Labor and Farmer leaders are supposed to return to the legislative session if a Democrat wins the special election, putting the House in a 67-67 tie.
Republicans hoped to elect a president with their advantage in order to control the election House committees over the next two years, but House Democratic League Leader Melissa Hortman said the parties should govern with shared authority because the chamber would likely be tied again after the special election.
“If there wasn’t a power-sharing agreement, we wouldn’t be here,” Hortman said during a news conference at the state Capitol on Monday.
But Republican leaders disagree, saying there is currently no tie and that they can reach a quorum on their own as there will be 144 council members until the special election in January.
“It begs the whole question of whether or not true power-sharing is going to work when we see Democrats refusing to even get in on the action,” House GOP Leader Lisa Demuth said Monday at a GOP news conference.
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Secretary of State Steve Simon will preside over the first day of the House, where he will make the call on a quorum.
Republicans may also refuse to allow Democratic state Rep. Brad Tabke to take office, as his election victory by 14 votes was tantamount to Disputed in court after county elections officials lost 20 absentee ballots in one precinct, the Star Tribune reported. But the GOP could also prevent Thapke from taking office based on his constitutional authority regardless of what a judge rules, strengthening the GOP's advantage.
Minnesota Legislature Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate Majority Leader Cary Dziedich, NFL – Brooklyn Park. Bundesliga leaders hold a morning press conference to set priorities for the Bundesliga majority on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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“We're waiting for that judge's ruling,” Demuth said in an interview before the news conference. “We'll make our decision based on what the judge finds.” “But of course we asked for new elections. This is the only way to ensure strong elections in that region.”
If House Democrats boycott next week's session, Demuth suggested they could be subject to impeachment motions.
“I expect them to be professional legislators and to attend,” Demuth said.
However, Hortman was optimistic that the parties would reach an agreement before the session began, the Star Tribune reported.
“Things are going well,” Hortman said. “It's still early, and it will be a full week before we have to meet.” “We have plenty of time to come together and discuss how we can work together, and I'm confident we will.”
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