Friends and neighbors, On Friday, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that House Republicans attempted an illegitimate power grab and violated our state constitution. Every GOP action over the past two weeks, including the election of a fake Speaker and appointment of fake committees, was unlawful and illegitimate. In November, voters elected an equal number of Democrats and Republicans to represent them in the House. Due to the Republican refusal to agree to a fair power sharing arrangement, we are losing precious time to work together on behalf of all Minnesotans. After this Supreme Court decision, it’s clear that Republicans must start working together with Democrats so we can return to the Capitol to govern as voters intended. Beyond illegally masquerading as a majority, Republicans still refuse to respect election results in Shakopee where voters elected DFLer Rep. Brad Tabke to represent them. Refusing to seat Rep. Tabke would disenfranchise 22,000 voters. The reason they want to do this is simple: to allow them to advance their extreme agenda, including taking away reproductive freedoms, eliminating paid family leave, rolling back progress to address climate change, and ending free school meals for children in Minnesota. House DFLers will not allow Republicans to overturn an election simply because they can. Never before has a legislator been kicked out when they have done nothing wrong, and to do so would gravely subvert the free and fair elections Minnesotans expect. Rep. Tabke won on election night, won in a recount, and won in court. Please know I do not take my role nor denying quorum lightly and DFLers look forward to returning to the Capitol as soon as we have an agreement with Republicans that respects the will of all voters. Meanwhile, House Democrats continue to work directly with our constituents and in our communities. Over the last week, I got to show off the transit developments at SouthWest Station to co-Chair Koegel and other transportation committee members, joined members from 10 Eden Prairie homeowners associations at the Preserve Barn to discuss challenges facing residents, and celebrated Lunar New Year at Asia Mall, with neighbors from EP and across the state, the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese International School of Minnesota, and more.  Currently, Republicans have a temporary one-seat advantage – kind of like a power play in hockey. But they want to change the rules in the middle of the game to give them a permanent two-year advantage, even after we’re tied again. Our proposal is simple: Republicans can run the House while they have an advantage, but when the House returns to a 67-67 tie, we must return to a fair, co-governing model. Minnesota voters sent a clear message on Election Night – they expect us to govern together. It’s time for Republicans to return to the negotiating table so we can move forward. |