MINNEAPOLIS — In a significant development, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state’s Democratic leaders in a dispute over legislative power dynamics with Republicans in the House of Representatives, emphasizing the need for collaboration among lawmakers.
The court reached a unanimous conclusion, backing House Democrats who contended that a quorum should consist of 68 members according to the state constitution, rather than the 67 claimed by their Republican counterparts. The House Republicans currently hold a slim majority of 67-66, with a special election on the horizon to fill a vacant seat expected around March 11. Throughout the current legislative session, House Democrats have refrained from attending meetings, aiming to minimize the leverage Republicans potentially gain from their slim majority.
Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court noted that the ongoing conflict had rendered the House “entirely dysfunctional.” A brief three-page order was released on Friday, with the promise of a more comprehensive legal reasoning to follow. Although the court did not explicitly label the actions taken by House Republicans as invalid—something Democrats sought—the justices expressed their expectation that both parties would adhere to their ruling moving forward.
Democratic leaders in the House interpreted the ruling as effectively nullifying all actions performed by Republicans since the outset of the session last week. Top House Democrat Melissa Hortman, from Brooklyn Park, emphasized the necessity of bipartisanship and indicated a readiness to engage with Republicans in meaningful dialogue to pave the way for a negotiated understanding.
In contrast, House Republicans were hesitant regarding their approach to reopening discussions. Lisa Demuth, the leading GOP member from Cold Spring, criticized the Democrats, accusing them of undermining not just their constituents but the wider Minnesota populace by neglecting their responsibilities. She asserted that House Republicans would attend work on Monday, calling for the Democratic boycott to cease so that the legislature could proceed with its agenda.
Prior to the ruling, Democrats were hopeful that a favorable outcome would motivate their Republican colleagues to negotiate a power-sharing framework akin to the agreement reached after the November elections. This arrangement was initially aimed at addressing what appeared to be an evenly split House at the commencement of the legislative session. However, this agreement disintegrated after a Ramsey County judge determined that the Democratic victor of a particular seat was ineligible, temporarily leaving Republicans with a one-seat advantage. The upcoming special election to fill that seat is expected to reestablish the tie, aligning with the district’s Democratic tendencies.
As the House is set to reconvene on Monday, it remains uncertain how proceedings will unfold. Under Minnesota law, the secretary of state is responsible for convening the House’s opening session and presiding until a quorum is achieved and a new speaker is elected, a process that typically happens swiftly. Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon has indicated his intention to convene the House again but did not specify a timeline for doing so. Simon expressed hope for a functioning legislative body that could operate effectively for all Minnesotans.
Hortman retained an open offer for negotiations with Demuth, suggesting that Republicans could govern the House until the special election occurs, after which they would revert to a shared governance structure. While she was eager to initiate talks, Hortman did not guarantee her members would return to the Capitol on Monday in the absence of an agreement. She expressed confidence that it was possible to establish a partnership that honors both sides, yielding beneficial outcomes for everyone involved.
House Democrats have also stated their intention to stay away from sessions until there is assurance regarding the seating of Democratic Rep. Brad Tabke from Shakopee, who secured reelection by a slim margin. The district is perceived as a competitive one for the GOP, suggesting a significant risk in a low-turnout special election. Despite a judge’s ruling confirming Tabke’s victory, Republicans have yet to offer the commitment to seat him, which, if not resolved, would solidify the GOP’s majority until further action is taken.
Efforts by House Democrats to prevent a quorum are a part of larger tactics seen nationwide, employed by lawmakers across various states in more than two dozen instances. While such actions are uncommon in Minnesota, they aren’t unprecedented. A historical example dates back to 1857 when a Democratic lawmaker physically concealed legislation aimed at relocating the capital of Minnesota Territory to hinder its progression.
