 Dear neighbors, On Friday, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the House Republican attempted power grab of the last two weeks violated our state constitution. The Court found unlawful and illegitimate every GOP action, including the election of a Speaker and appointment of committees. In November, voters elected an equal number of Democrats and Republicans to represent them in the House. Now, it’s time for the GOP to start working together with Democrats to develop a fair power sharing agreement so we can return to the Capitol to govern as Minnesotans intended. Integral to honoring the will of the voters across the state is respect for the results of the election in Shakopee where voters elected DFLer Rep. Brad Tabke to represent them. Yet Republicans are refusing to seat him, which would disenfranchise 22,000 voters. They are willing to undermine the will of Minnesota voters to advance policies far more extreme than our state supports, including taking away reproductive freedoms, eliminating paid family leave, rolling back progress to address climate change, targeting immigrant communities with harmful and demeaning exclusions, and ending free school meals for kids. 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. To be clear, this would set a dangerous precedent regardless of which party holds the majority in the future. Voters, not politicians, decide who represents their community. Currently, Republicans have a temporary one-seat, temporary advantage. But they want to change the rules in the middle of the game to give them a permanent two-year advantage. 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. DFLers look forward to returning to the Capitol once we have an agreement with Republicans that respects the will of the voters. Meanwhile, House Democrats continue to work directly with our constituents and in our communities. Over the last week, I met with SEIU Local 26, attended a Senate District advocacy fair, spoke with Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid about funding for Civil Legal Services, and more.  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. |