Minnesota lawmakers reach power-sharing agreement, ending weekslong stalemate

Minnesota lawmakers settled on a bipartisan power-sharing agreement in the state House, ending a weekslong political stalemate in one of the most closely divided legislative bodies in the country.

Under the drafted agreement, Republicans will control the speakership in the House, where the party currently holds a one-seat advantage. The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party secured assurances that Republicans wouldn’t block one of their members from being seated and would share power if the chamber returns, as expected, to a tie after a special election next month.

For the last three weeks, the Minnesota House has been unable to conduct any business, after Democrats denied the chamber a quorum starting in mid-January. Republicans attempted to convene their own session, but they were blocked by the state Supreme Court.

Minnesota voters elected 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans to the state House in November, and lawmakers began to craft a power-sharing agreement for the tied chamber, which requires a quorum of 68 to conduct business. But after a residency challenge knocked one Democrat out of office, forcing a special election, and an incident of accidentally tossed absentee ballots called into question another Democrat’s victory, Republicans said they planned to take control of the body on when the state legislature convened.

A court later ruled that the discarded ballots would not have changed the outcome of the election, meaning Democratic state Rep. Brad Tabke had lawfully won his swing-district seat. Democrats said they had to walk out to ensure that Republicans didn’t refuse to seat him and force another election.

Under the agreement shared with reporters by Democrats, Tabke will be seated. Republicans will take control of the House speakership and chair the committees. If Democrats win the special election scheduled for next month, the parties will co-chair the committees and there will be an equal number of Democrats and Republicans on each committee, requiring a bipartisan vote to advance legislation.

The speaker will have several limitations in a tied chamber. For instance, each party will handle attendance of their parties and select members for a conference committee to reconcile legislation, rather than the speaker.

“Democrats have succeeded in our fight to protect the will of the voters. The power-sharing agreement we are announcing today ensures that Rep. Brad Tabke will serve his term in office, and ensures Democrats and Republicans will share power when we are in a tie,” said House Democratic Leader Melissa Hortman. “A tied House presents a challenge, but it also presents a golden opportunity for members of the Minnesota House to deliver the most bipartisan session Minnesota has ever seen.” 

State Rep. Lisa Demuth, who is expected to be elected speaker later Thursday, said in a statement the agreement puts Republicans in a “strong position” to push for their legislative priorities and touting a new committee that will seek to root out waste and fraud in government spending.

“I am honored to serve as Speaker for the full term, providing stability and a steady hand as we work to deliver on our promises of fiscal responsibility, public safety, and government accountability,” she said in a statement. “This agreement puts Republicans in a strong position to fight for lower taxes, fewer burdensome regulations, and stronger support for families, farmers, and small businesses.”

Democrats narrowly control the state Senate, 34-33, and the governorship in Minnesota.