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Week in Review: Jan. 13-17

By Lisa Kaczke
The House Chamber was half-filled on the first day of the 2025 session, Jan. 14, as House DFLers stayed away from the Capitol in an ongoing dispute over control of the chamber. (Photo by Andrew VonBank)
The House Chamber was half-filled on the first day of the 2025 session, Jan. 14, as House DFLers stayed away from the Capitol in an ongoing dispute over control of the chamber. (Photo by Andrew VonBank)

The question of what constitutes a quorum in the House overshadowed the start to this year’s legislative session.

Republicans say a quorum is 67 members, not 68, because the House has 133 members currently. Secretary of State Steve Simon ruled differently on Tuesday’s opening day, but Republicans pushed ahead anyway and elected House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring). Committee activity began Wednesday and the first 10 bills were filed Thursday.

DFLers have remained absent from the Capitol, arguing the House doesn’t have a quorum without them. Caucus leaders are asking Republicans to agree to power sharing after the Jan. 28 special election in District 40B — a seat the DFL won by 30 points in November with a candidate who did not meet residency requirements — and to seat Rep. Brad Tabke after a district judge ruled Tuesday that Tabke’s narrow victory stands in District 54A.

A lawsuit filed by DFL members this week asks the Minnesota Supreme Court to weigh in on the quorum dispute. Opening arguments are scheduled for Jan. 23.
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Recent Dailies

Week in Review: Jan. 13-17
By Lisa Kaczke
The House Chamber was half-filled on the first day of the 2025 session, Jan. 14, as House DFLers stayed away from the Capitol in an ongoing dispute over control of the chamber. (Photo by Andrew VonBank) The question of what constitutes a quorum in the House overshadowed the start to this year’s legislative session. Republicans say a quorum is 67 members, not 68, because the...
DFL leaders lay out legislative priorities for 2025 session
By Lisa Kaczke
Rep. Melissa Hortman speaks during a Jan. 6 news conference. House DFL leaders on Friday announced their legislative priorities for the 2025 session. (Photo by Michele Jokinen) The House DFL plans to focus on child care, health care and housing during this legislative session. It’s 2025 agenda is intended to improve Minnesotans’ lives, Rep. Melissa...
Walz proposes slimmed-down 2026-27 state budget, sales tax changes
By Tim Walker
Gov. Tim Walz speaks last month during a news conference following the release of the November Budget and Economic Forecast. The governor on Thursday proposed a slimmed-down $66 billion state budget for the 2026-27 biennium. (Photo by Michele Jokinen) This is an odd-numbered year, and so the Legislature is constitutionally required to craft a budget to fund the state government for the next two fiscal years. Gov. Tim Walz...
Workforce committee learns of issues with paid time off programs
By Margaret Stevens
Lauryn Schothorst of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce testifies before the House's workforce and labor committee Thursday about the impacts of earned sick and safe time, paid family leave, and labor shortages. (Photo by Andrew VonBank) A state law ensuring workers have access to paid time off could be going under the scalpel. Two years ago, Minnesota became the 13th state to implement a paid leave program....
Simon says no quorum, Republicans elect Demuth speaker
By Rob Hubbard
The House Chamber was absent 67 members Tuesday as House DFLers stayed away from the Capitol to deny a quorum on the first day of the 2025 session. (Photo by Andrew VonBank) Depending upon how you view a situation, you could say that Tuesday’s Opening Day for the House of Representatives found the chamber either half full or half empty. In ...
House Republicans plan to act as majority, DFL threatens Opening Day absence in power sharing tug-of-war
By Lisa Kaczke
Republican Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth discusses caucus priorities and potential scenarios for House organization for the upcoming 2025 session during a Jan. 6 news conference. (Photo by Michele Jokinen) House Republicans plan to fully exercise their rights as the majority on the first day of the 2025 legislative session, but House DFLers plan to not be in the Capitol if a power...
District 40B special election scheduled for Jan. 28, 2025
By HPIS Staff
House Photography file photo A writ of special election was issued Friday that sets Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 as the date for a special election to fill the District 40B House seat. Curtis Johnson won the ...
‘Deeper dive’ into corrections issues focus of public safety informational hearing
By Jonathan Mohr
Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL-Shoreview), chair of the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, opens the panel's Dec. 17 informational hearing. (House Public Information Services screenshot) The House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee received an update on Minnesota’s prison system during an informational meeting Tuesday afternoon. No official action was ta...
House members receive committee assignments for 2025-2026 biennium
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House Photography file photo With just over one month until the 2025 legislative session begins, House members now know the committees they will serve on when their work officially begins Jan. 14. House...
State's latest budget forecast projects shrinking surplus, 'significant financial headwinds'
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Gov. Tim Walz discusses the November 2024 Budget and Economic Forecast during a Dec. 4 news conference. (Photo by Michele Jokinen) The state’s government is expected to have less money than previously predicted for lawmakers to allocate when they return to the Capitol Jan. 14 and begin crafting a budge...
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Priority Dailies

House Republicans plan to act as majority, DFL threatens Opening Day absence in power sharing tug-of-war
By Lisa Kaczke
House Republicans plan to fully exercise their rights as the majority on the first day of the 2025 legislative session, but House DFLers plan to not be in the Capitol if a power...
District 40B special election scheduled for Jan. 28, 2025
By HPIS Staff
A writ of special election was issued Friday that sets Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 as the date for a special election to fill the District 40B House seat. Curtis Johnson won the ...

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