Minn. House Republicans ask state Supreme Court to curb Secretary of State, seek pay penalties for absent lawmakers

House Republican leader Representative Nyska said his caucus filed a petition with the Minnesota Supreme Court on the 17th day of the legislative session, asking the court to rule that Secretary of State Steve Simon exceeded his authority by refusing to recognize motions from a group smaller than a quorum.

“Today was the 4th day in a row in which Secretary of State Simon, as presiding officer here in the House, has not recognized me to make a motion,” Nyska said. “He has overstepped his authority as the presiding officer.”

The petition, Nyska said, asks the court to affirm that those legislators who are present — 67 members, a number the Republicans describe as a “lesser number than a quorum” — have the constitutional power to adjourn from day to day and to impose penalties on absent members. Nyska said the penalties the caucus is seeking…