Legislative Update: Minnesota Supreme Court rules GOP power grab was unconstitutional

Dear Neighbors,   

If you’ve been following along with what’s been happening at the Capitol, you know there have been some significant developments. On Friday, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the House Republican power grab of the last two weeks violated our state constitution. Every House Republican action, including the election of a fake Speaker and appointment of fake committees, was unlawful and illegitimate. 

Democrats are looking forward to continuing our work in the Capitol, but that cannot happen until Republicans respect the rule of law and commit to seat Rep. Brad Tabke, a duly elected representative from Shakopee. Their refusal to commit could set a dangerous precedent that even outside of criminal or unethical conduct, the House can unseat a duly elected member because they are displeased with the election result. The reason they want to do this is simple: to empower 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 kids. This is the future that House Republicans are promising, and House Democrats are standing strong to protect the institution and our democracy.  

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 when we’re once again in a tie. 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. 

In November, voters elected an equal number of Democrats and Republicans to represent them in the House. Now, it’s time for Republicans to work with Democrats to finalize a fair power sharing agreement so we can return to the Capitol to govern as Minnesotans intended.  

Please continue to be in touch. I recognize the complexity of this situation, and you may have further questions. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if there's anything I can do to assist you in any way. 

While House Republicans held sham committee hearings and unconstitutional floor sessions, silencing thousands of Minnesotans, my DFL colleagues are out in communities across the state; amplifying the valuable voices of our districts, listening to how we can support local leaders/advocates at the state level, and reassuring our residents know we are front and center ready to work for them. Our work is preparing us for a return to the Capitol just as soon as Republicans are willing to work together and respect the fact that voters elected a tied House.

I'll be sharing frequent updates on my work for our district and across the state on my official Facebook page.  

Here are a few community events that I’ve attended since session began:  

Black Women's Wealth Alliance roundtable: It was an honor to host a legislative roundtable with members of the Black Women's Wealth Alliance at ZaRah on the Northside. My DFL colleagues and I learned how the coaching and incubation programs have helped to take women led businesses to the next level. We also talked about how the state can be a better partner in securing resources for entrepreneurs. Once the House is constitutionally organized, I look forward to amplifying the voices and experiences of BIPOC women business owners in committee hearings and advocating for increased investments in small local businesses.  

Minneapolis Public Housing Authority tour: MPHA hosted state legislators from the Minneapolis delegation and the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee to tour Spring Manor, the largest public housing high-rise redevelopment project in city history. The estimated $65 million project will preserve 221 units across two neighboring buildings, investing more than $35 million in capital improvements, while also constructing a new four-story building that will create 15 new deeply affordable and disability accessible units (nine one-bedroom and six two-bedroom units). 

Public housing is a vitally important part of our communities. I'm glad to see Minneapolis Public Housing Authority embark on this renovation to create a better living environment for residents and do it in a way that's mindful of residents' needs for community building and energy efficiency. It was nice to tour the vision for the space with my colleagues and discuss how the state can continue to be a strong supporter of public housing. 

Urban Homeworks: I had the opportunity to attend Urban Homeworks monthly tenant discussions to hear about constituents’ experiences with property managers and participating in Urban Homeworks programs. It's always great to hear directly from renters and housing partners about what they need and how policy makers can help them create safe and dignified housing. 

Visiting HERC: As the state representative of a district directly impacted by the Hennepin County Energy Recovery Center (HERC), environmental justice is a critical concern for me. I recently toured the facility with my colleagues to gain a deeper understanding of its operations and the challenges associated with waste management in our region. 

This visit provided valuable insights into current practices and highlighted the urgent need to transition towards a more sustainable, zero-waste future. I am committed to working closely with county officials to explore feasible pathways for phasing out the HERC and implementing innovative solutions that prioritize environmental equity and sustainability for all residents.

Upcoming Town Hall: Later this week, I will be sending out further communication regarding an upcoming town hall meeting for our Senate District. I look forward to convening our community and engaging in a productive dialogue about our shared aspirations for our district during the 2025-2026 legislative session. 

Update from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) 

The Office of Cannabis Management is moving forward with a new cycle of social equity verification this week. Verification is the process where OCM confirms an applicant's social equity eligibility. This service is free. Once the verification system is open on Jan. 15, 2025, applicants must register an account on OCM’s Accela citizen portal and complete the social equity verification form, which will prompt a series of next steps.  

Updated guidance on the social equity verification process and an updated verification guide can be found on their website, Social Equity Verification Process / Office of Cannabis Management. This window will be open until Jan. 30. Access the Social Equity Applicants webpage for more information.   

Important dates for upcoming standard licensing cycle  

Let’s Stay Connected!  

I deeply value being in this work to improve lives with you. Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. Please reach out anytime if you need assistance, schedule a meeting or community event, or have questions at rep.esther.agbaje@house.mn.gov or 651-296-8659.

In community, 

Rep. Esther Agbaje 

Minnesota House of Representatives (59B) 

Legislative Assistant 

Nhia Chang

Nhia.Chang@house.mn.gov

651-296-4165