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House Republicans say 21-day DFL absence has stalled work; legal fight over motion recognition heads to Minnesota Supreme Court
Summary
House Republicans held a press conference at the State Capitol on what they called the 21st day that DFL House members have not attended, accused Democrats of creating a constitutional crisis, and said a pending court challenge seeks to force recognition of a motion the secretary of state declined to acknowledge.
House Republicans called attention to what they described as a 21-day absence by DFL House members and said that absence has blocked committee testimony, budget work and other legislative business.
"We just need Democrats to show up for work," a House Republican said during a press conference at the State Capitol, repeating the central message of several speakers.
The group said they met with a negotiating team this morning that included Leader Niska and representatives Torkelson, Robbins and Scott, and that further talks were scheduled for late afternoon. They also said a motion they placed "at the desk" was not recognized by Secretary of State Steve Simon, and that the issue is the subject of a lawsuit now scheduled for a hearing before the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Why it matters: House Republicans said the absence of DFL members has prevented the usual public testimony and committee work that help shape budgets and legislation. The Republicans warned the impasse risks delaying the state budget and said they are preparing contingency measures to compel attendance if necessary.
In discussion of the legal route, a Republican speaker said the Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on the question of whether the presiding officer must recognize certain motions when fewer than a quorum are present. Republicans said they expect the court to move quickly based on the scheduling order.
Republicans also said they had been in touch with Secretary of State Steve Simon about recognition on the floor. "He's making a very clear effort not to look at me, to not recognize me, to make a motion," a Republican who said they had asked to be recognized told reporters, saying an email exchange and a prior meeting were described in a declaration filed in the lawsuit.
The group said the party had heard the state party indicate recall petitions against DFL House members may be filed "in the next few days." They said recall activity or other outside pressure was unlikely to complicate already difficult negotiations.
On timing, Republicans raised March 17 as a potential date when membership changes from special elections could alter power-sharing arrangements, and said the governor will set a date for a special election on Feb. 5 (as described by the speakers). They said they are working on budget details and worried about passing a budget on time if the stalemate continues.
Speakers noted constituent events and interest-group meetings they have attended at the Capitol during the impasse, including Black Entrepreneurs Day and meetings with mutual insurance companies, and repeatedly said they remain available to meet and negotiate. Republicans also mentioned broader concerns they said motivated their urgency, including recent reports of fraud, declines in 4th- and 8th-grade reading scores and struggles among poultry producers because of avian flu; those topics were offered by speakers as examples of matters they said are not being addressed because of the absence of DFL members.
No formal motions were recorded as passed at the press conference. Republicans said the motion sitting at the desk remains unrecognized, and that the legal challenge will determine whether the presiding officer must accept it when made by the present members.
The Republicans scheduled a follow-up press conference for 1 p.m. the next day and said they would meet again later the afternoon of the press conference to continue negotiations.
