Saint Paul, Minn. – On Sunday, January 5, DFL Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman met with Republican Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth to talk about the state of power sharing in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
During the meeting, Hortman informed Demuth that Democrats were prepared to exercise their rightful authority to deny a 68-member quorum required to conduct House business if Republicans remain committed to their plan to engage in an illegitimate power grab. Hortman made Demuth an offer for Republicans to adopt the power-sharing agreement both leaders negotiated over the past 60 days, and for Republicans to agree to seat duly-elected DFL Rep. Brad Tabke. Demuth declined, and when Hortman asked her to make a counteroffer, Demuth was noncommittal and then left the negotiating table.
“Democrats have no interest in denying quorum. We are ready to get to work with our Republican colleagues on January 14 and govern under shared power. Minnesotans voted for a tied House, and Democrats are ready to honor the will of the voters. This dispute can be resolved before session starts but first Republican Leader Demuth needs to return to the negotiating table.”
During a December 20 interview on WCCO radio with Jason DeRusha, Demuth said that after the House returns to a 67-67 tie “then we would bring our Democrat colleagues back into that power sharing piece." During a December 23 interview with KARE11, Demuth said “If it would go back to a tie, then we're ready to go on that power-sharing agreement.” But during a press conference on January 6, Demuth went back on her word and when asked if power-sharing would resume after a January 28 special election in a safe DFL district, she said “I can’t answer that right now.”