## Minnesota House Deadlocked: Boycott Continues Amid Stalled Negotiations
A power struggle for control of the Minnesota House of Representatives continues, with Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) members now in their third week of boycotting the legislature. Negotiations between Republican and DFL leaders have stalled, leaving the House in a state of paralysis.
The unusual scene unfolding in the House chamber is presided over by Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. With only a fraction of the members present, the daily routine involves a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call, and a final declaration by Simon that insufficient members are present to conduct business. This daily ritual underscores the ongoing impasse.
Republican House leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) announced on Wednesday that she had no plans to meet again soon with DFL leader Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park). This marks a shift from daily meetings held since Friday, following a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling requiring 68 members for a quorum. The court’s decision, siding with the Democrats, effectively prevents Republicans from unilaterally electing Demuth as Speaker while the boycott persists. Republicans are framing the Democratic absence as a failure to perform their duties.
The core disagreement remains unresolved. House Democrats demand written assurances that Republicans will not attempt to remove Rep. Brad Tabke, a Shakopee Democrat whose reelection victory by a narrow margin (14 votes) was contested due to missing ballots. A judge ruled that Tabke rightfully won, but the House retains the constitutional authority to determine its own membership, a power Democrats fear Republicans will abuse. Republicans, meanwhile, insist on electing a Speaker and controlling House committees for the next two years, even anticipating a special election to fill a vacant seat that would return the House to a 67-67 tie.
Despite expressing optimism earlier this week, Representative Hortman acknowledged the potential for further delays in reaching a resolution. She stated that while progress had been made, significant hurdles remain before a final agreement can be achieved.
The ongoing boycott by all 66 House DFL members, initiated on January 14th, aims to prevent Republicans from obtaining a quorum and seizing control of the chamber. The situation remains deeply entrenched, with no immediate resolution in sight.
(This article is by Michelle Griffith, Minnesota Reformer, January 29, 2025)
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