Even when Republicans have a lot of power, it often will not be enough,

Summary

In Minnesota’s evenly split state House (67-67), Republicans have temporarily seized control by exploiting a judicial ruling that disqualified a Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) legislator, giving the GOP a 67-66 edge.

Despite the lack of quorum and an upcoming special election likely to restore the tie, Republicans unilaterally elected a speaker and are blocking another DFL candidate certified as the winner after a recount.

Critics label this a “coup,” reflecting broader trends of minority rule and disregard for democratic norms.

Legal challenges are underway to restore balance.

  • Thalion
    11·
    16 hours ago

    Is there nothing the Governor can do in this situation? Or would it have to be the courts?

    • dhork@lemmy.worldEnglish
      19·
      15 hours ago

      Typically, legislatures have broad latitude to organize committees and set up rules, by majority vote. Anything that is not mandated by existing legislation or the relevant Constitution is changeable if the body votes for it, and no other branch would get up in their business over it.

      However, this case may be an exception:

      It takes, by statute, 68 votes for a quorum and 68 votes to pass anything in the chamber. There’s no wiggle room here. When Democrats boycotted the opening session Tuesday, NBC News reported, “Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, who controls the chamber’s gavel between sessions, adjourned the state House and said there was no quorum.” The state House, legally, could not act. Nevertheless, in a half-empty chamber, the 67 Republicans plowed ahead and elected state Rep. Lisa DeMuth as the speaker.

      That means there is a law that defines quorum for this body, which the Republicans purposely ignored to install a speaker. That Speaker election will, no doubt, be challenged in court. I’d be interested to know what the Republican justification is for this…

      • Optional@lemmy.world
        20·
        15 hours ago

        I’d be interested to know what the Republican justification is for this…

        Oh, I have that here somehwere, let me see . . . uhh . . I think it’s under these papers here . . one second . . . ahhhhhh . . Yeah . . . yep . . .okay here it is. *ahem*

        “We’re complete fucking assholes.”

        • dhork@lemmy.worldEnglish
          8·
          14 hours ago

          The only justification that makes sense is “See that ‘R’ after our names? That’s why”. And some judges would allow that.