Minnesota Legislative Session Faces Uncertainty

As the Minnesota legislative session is set to begin, uncertainty looms over whether House Democrats will participate due to a dispute over power-sharing with Republicans. The House currently has a Republican majority of 67-66 after a DFL representative was disqualified, leading Democrats to threaten a boycott unless their demands for equal representation are met. Legal disputes regarding contested election results and the need for a special election further complicate the situation. In the Senate, a temporary power-sharing agreement is being negotiated amidst a 33-33 tie following the death of a Democratic senator. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon confirmed that a quorum requires 68 members to conduct business, meaning that without full participation, the session may not proceed. Both parties are under pressure to resolve these issues to ensure legislative functions begin smoothly.