MN House GOP suing Secretary of State as power-sharing standoff continues
MN House Republicans suing Secretary of State
Minnesota House Republicans claim that Secretary of State Steve Simon is violating the constitution by not allowing them to fine DFL members for every day they don't show up. The House is set to meet again on Monday, which will be the DFL's fourth week of boycotting unless lawmakers can reach a deal over the weekend. FOX 9's Se Kwon has the full story.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The back and forth at the Minnesota House of Representatives is wrapping up its third week, and GOP lawmakers are taking the fight back to the state Supreme Court in an attempt to force DFL members to return to the capitol.
READ MORE: Groundhog Day at the Capitol: House standoff lengthens
Minnesota House standoff
What they're saying:
House Republicans are suing Secretary of State Steve Simon, claiming that he is violating the Minnesota Constitution.
"We have the power, under the constitution, to adjourn from day-to-day, and he is not even allowing us to set that time for adjournment through a motion from the body," said Rep. Harry Niska (R-Ramsey). "He is doing it unilaterally from the rostrum and that is unconstitutional."
Both Rep. Niska and House Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) released a joint statement on the legal action they are taking on the Constitutionally-allowed motions:
"Secretary Simon is illegally obstructing our ability to compel absent members as specifically stated in the Constitution. Because he refuses to allow a motion on the House Floor to hold Democrats accountable, we are taking legal action to make sure it happens. Democrats are obstructing House business, and it needs to stop."
The full petition can be viewed here.
READ MORE: GOP plans to recall DFL members
Big picture view:
The GOP want to force DFL lawmakers to return to the capitol through the state Supreme Court.
House Republicans also claim Secretary Simon is violating the Minnesota Constitution by not allowing them to fine DFL members for everyday they do not show up.
House Democrats have been getting paid while boycotting the session. Minnesota legislators are paid just shy of $52,000 every year, or about $141 a day.
READ MORE: Taxpayers footing bill for political battle over Minnesota House
Ever since last week's Minnesota Supreme Court ruling, Secretary Simon has been adjourning the session every day, not allowing the 67 Republicans to do anything, since justices say 68 members are needed for a quorum.
READ MORE: MN Supreme Court quorum ruling sides with DFL, says 68 members needed
House republicans say they will continue showing up on the House floor as they have been since the start of the session.
"We will be in every day next week unless the Democrats choose to join us earlier and we would go back to a more typical Monday-Thursday. But otherwise, every day next week at 3:30," said Rep. Demuth. "I hope that this chamber is more filled so you have more people to talk about. Maybe about what their 17 days off work was really like."
The other side:
Power-sharing talks between the parties have stalled, but party leaders say they’re open to continuing negotiations over the weekend.
House Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) sent a letter to Demuth on Thursday, saying "I was at the capitol ready to negotiate by 9 a.m. this morning, but Rep. Demuth refused to meet with me. I'll be ready to negotiate at 9 a.m. tomorrow as well, and I hope she will join me."
FOX 9 confirmed that no meeting is taking place on Friday.
What's next:
While nothing is scheduled in the Minnesota House on Friday, representatives are set to meet again on Monday, which will be the DFL's fourth week of boycotting, unless lawmakers can reach a deal over the weekend.