Legislative Session Begins with Partisan Standoff

The 2025 legislative session began on January 14 with half of the House of Representatives missing because of a dispute over which party should lead the body.??

Secretary of State Steve Simon presided over the half-empty House, declared a 68-member quorum was not present, and adjourned the body. The 67 House Republicans present surged forward anyway, elected Rep. Lisa Demuth (R – Cold Spring) as House Speaker and began conducting legislative business as usual. The question is whether a quorum is based on the total number of seats (134) or is based on the number of elected members (133 because of the one open seat).?

“Today I stand before you not only as a representative but as a Minnesotan committed to working for the people who sent us here to do the work,” Demuth told her Republican colleagues.?

Sixty-six DFL members boycotted the first day of session to deny Republicans a quorum, as ruled by the Secretary of State. They were sworn into office in a private ceremony the evening before.??

Though the 2024 election initially resulted in a 67-67 tie between Republicans and DFL representative-elects, a judicial ruling determined that the DFL representative-elect in House District 40B (Roseville area) was ineligible because he did not live in the district, reducing the number of DFL members elected to 66. A special election for that seat is set for January 28.?

Until that seat is filled, House Republicans argue they have a single-vote majority and that majority can be used to elect a Republican speaker. That majority also overrides, they argue, a previously agreed upon committee structure – one with equal number of DFL and Republican members and committee co-chairs. The DFL caucus boycotted the opening session to prevent that from happening.?

DFL members were also concerned Republicans would use a majority to refuse to seat incumbent DFL Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL-Shakopee), whose 14-vote victory was challenged after Scott County election officials irretrievably lost and failed to count 20 ballots. After weeks of investigation and hearings, a district judge ruled January 14 that Tabke’s victory was legitimate.?

"It is outrageous for Republicans to continue to suggest that they would kick out a duly elected member,” said DFL Speaker-designate, Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL – Brooklyn Park). “Given Republican statements indicating their intent to ignore the election results and the court’s decision, Democrats have no other recourse to protect the will of the voters than to deny quorum until the special election in 40B has concluded and that new member is sworn in.”?

The House DFL and Simon separately petitioned the Minnesota Supreme Court to nullify the Republicans’ actions. The Supreme Court has set a hearing date for January 23 to hear arguments on the case.?

“Every legislative session is distinct in its own way, but this one tops the chart for its uniqueness,” said Dave Renner, MMA director of advocacy. “This is my 36th years lobbying on behalf of the MMA, and I’ve never seen anything like what we’re seeing this year.”?

The Minnesota Senate also faces an atypical partisan situation. Following a DFL victory in a special election to replace former Sen. Kelly Morrison, MD, who was elected to serve in Congress in November, the DFL held a single-vote majority in the Senate over their Republican counterparts. However, following the passing of former Majority Leader Sen. Kari Dziedzic, who died of ovarian cancer in December, the Senate is tied again with 33 members apiece. A special election for Dziedzic’s seat has been scheduled for January 28. Until then, the two Senate caucuses agreed to a power-sharing arrangement which includes equal committee membership, committee co-chairs, and alternating control of the Senate presidency.?

The trial of Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL – Woodbury) could further disrupt the power dynamic in the Senate. Mitchell has been charged with felony burglary after an incident in Detroit Lakes last spring. Her trial is set for later this month, though her attorneys have asked for an extension until after the legislative session. The outcome of the trial could result in efforts to remove Mitchell from the Senate, and ultimately another special election to determine partisan control of the Senate.?

“We’re in a state of legislative limbo at the moment,” said Chad Fahning, MMA manager of state legislative affairs. “The partisan grappling right now means less time spent passing bills and more animosity between the two parties. Our priority bills should have strong bipartisan support, but the ill will especially among House members, makes it more difficult to move any major pieces of legislation.”?

The MMA Board of Directors adopted five legislative priorities for the 2025 legislative session. Learn more about them here.?