Despite being on the short end of a 66-67 party split in the Minnesota House of Representatives, Democrats say they will not show up next week for the start of session unless they receive equal power in the chamber.
That’s the message from the outgoing Democratic Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park), as quoted by Minnesota Public Radio (MPR):
“If there is no power-sharing agreement, we will not be here,” Democratic House Leader Melissa Hortman said.
Hortman likens her minority group of (at most) 66 members to striking union workers. Now I’ve never been in a labor union, but I don’t think they have the ability to elect themselves into management positions.
Math is a stubborn thing.
Democrats got themselves into this pickle because one of their party members cheated and got caught, not living inside the House district (40B) he was running for last November. The special election for that seat will be held no earlier than January 28. So, for now, Republicans hold the majority, pending the eventual results of the House 40B election. We are still waiting on the outcome of another election dispute over House seat 54A (Shakopee)
Presumably, like all striking workers, Democrats won’t paid for not showing up to work.
Left-leaning political commentator Blois Olson covered this item in this newsletter this morning. He writes of the attempt to deprive the body of a quorum to pass bills and conduct other business:
Can DFLers prevent that by not showing up? The political risk is high-stakes, and shows the hunger for power that exists within the DFL.
Just so. At present, the state senate is evenly split 33-33. Democrats hold all four state-wide elected offices (Governor, Attorney General, etc.). They had enjoyed total control of state government for the past two year, but that’s not what voters picked in November 2024.
The Democrats’ instinct is to take their ball and go home whenever they don’t get their way.
So, what will they be missing while on strike? Republicans put forward their agenda today. Again, MPR reports:
The Republican to-do list includes bills to curb improper state spending, rolling back taxes on retirees and automatic bumps to the gasoline tax, repeal a restriction on new nuclear power facilities in the state and reduce state requirements imposed on school districts and local governments.
Republicans said they would create a new committee specifically tasked with investigating fraud in government programs and crafting bills to add more legislative oversight to executive branch functions.
I fully anticipate zero Democrats showing up to work on January 14. Local media seem to treat these statements as mere threats. A sampling.
The Star Tribune quotes Republican Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring):
If House Democrats don’t show up to work next week, Demuth suggested they could be subject to recall petitions.
“I will expect that they’ll be professional legislators and show up,” Demuth said.
Exactly. Democrats should explain directly to voters in new elections as to why they think their power grab justifies boycotting work. Hortman is quoted by the Star Tribune as expecting to still be paid while on strike.