House Republicans have elected a speaker but the DFL is asking the state Supreme Court to intervene. At issue is whether 67 seats are a majority or whether 68 are needed.

The Supreme Court justices listened to oral arguments for more than an hour and are expected to issue a ruling quickly.

In a story published Jan. 16, 2025, about the Minnesota Legislature, The Associated Press erroneously reported that House Democratic leader Melissa Hortman is from Cold

In a major victory for Minnesota House Democrats Friday, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that 68 House members must be present for a quorum, which means the lower chamber has had no official proceedings during a Democratic boycott.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The 2025 session of the Minnesota Legislature could be headed for a rocky start when it convenes Tuesday, with House Democrats threatening to boycott opening day and House Republicans saying they’ll try to recall lawmakers who fail to show up.

(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) Minnesota House Democratic leaders Melissa Hortman and Jamie Long speak at a news conference on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at the State Capitol in St. Paul, one day before the 2025 legislative session is due to convene. (AP Photo ...

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Minnesota Reformer) – Minnesota House Democrats have filed a lawsuit asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to find that Republicans’ attempt to elect a speaker and conduct business without them was unlawful because they lacked a quorum of members.

In a final attempt to avert the current legal and political battle for control of the Minnesota House, Democratic leader Melissa Hortman offered the GOP the speakership for two years, as well as the creation of an “oversight committee” with a majority of Republicans who would have been empowered to investigate the administration of DFL

Under state law, the House must have 68 members present — a majority of the total 134 seats, the justices wrote.

Preparing for a possible walkout Tuesday, the DFL swore in members over the weekend, which the GOP called an illegal action.

Democratic-Farmer-Labor Secretary of State Steve Simon and the House DFL have filed lawsuits to stop Republicans from taking control of the House for the next two years, arguing it’s unconstitutional for them to move forward without Democrats present.

ST PAUL, Minn — The Minnesota ... The top House Democrat, Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, conceded Friday that Minnesota's rules are “rather genteel” and probably don't allow the sergeant ...