SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Supreme Court sides with DFLers ruling 68 members constitutes a quorum in the House, the amount to conduct business.
“The quorum clause in Article IV, Section 13, of the Minnesota Constitution, requires a majority of the total number of seats of which each house may consist to constitute a quorum. Because under current statute, the total number of seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives is 134, a quorum under Article IV, § 13, is 68 members. We assume that the parties will now conform to this order without the necessity of issuing a formal writ,” The majority ruling said.
“Republicans tried to seize power that the voters did not give them,” said DFL Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman. “Now that it is clear Republicans must work with Democrats for the House to operate, I am hopeful we will be able to shortly negotiate an acceptable path forward. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and return to the negotiating table immediately.
“This decision drives home the fact that House Democrats are disrespecting not just their own constituents, but the entire state of Minnesota by refusing to do their jobs. House Republicans will be showing up to work on Monday — it’s time for the Democrats’ walkout to end and for the legislature to get on with its work,” Republican State Rep. Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring, who was elected Speaker of the House during the DFL boycott, said.
On the first day of session Tuesday, Minnesota Secretary of State Simon presided over the House, declared 67 members were present which did not constitute a quorum and adjourned for the day. Republicans then had State Rep. Paul Anderson of Starbuck preside over the House and elected State Representative Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring as Speaker of the House.
Democrats argue Republicans haven’t agreed to a power sharing agreement in the House. The chamber could be tied at 67 seats apiece after a January 28 special election for a Roseville area seat if a Democrat wins. A judge ruled DFLer Curtis Johnson, who won the election, didn’t meet residency requirements.
A judge declared Tabke the winner of a Shakopee area State House seat after the Republican Party of Minnesota filed an election contest over 21 missing votes. The judge says Tabke remains the candidate with the most votes legally cast in the district, the election is not invalid and an injunction or special election is not warranted or ordered. Tabke beat Republican Aaron Paul by 14 votes. Scott County officials said the ballots were likely thrown away and likely won’t be recovered. Paul has announced he will not appeal the case.
