Minnesota legislators decided on a bipartisan agreement of shared power in the State Chamber, ending a one -week political stagnation in one of the most divided legislative bodies in the country.
According to the agreement written, the Republicans will control the accommodation in the Chamber, where the match currently has a single seat advantage. He The Democratic-Farmer-Labor party assured the guarantees that the Republicans would not block one of its members to be sitting and shared power if the camera returns, as expected, to a draw after a special election next month.
During the last three weeks, the Chamber of Minnesota has not been able to carry out any business, after the Democrats denied a quorum that began in mid -January. Republicans tried to convene their own session, but were blocked by the Supreme Court of the State.
Minnesota voters chose 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans to the House of Representatives in November, and legislators began preparing a shared power agreement for the tied chamber, which requires a quorum of 68 to do business. But after a residence challenge left a Democrat out of office, forcing a special choice, and an incident of absent votes accidentally launched in question the victory of another Democrat, the Republicans said they planned to take control of the body When the state legislature met.
Later, a court ruled that the discarded tickets would not have changed the result of the elections, which is to say Democratic state representative, Brad Tabke, had legally won his seat in the Swing district. The Democrats said they had to leave to make sure that the Republicans did not refuse to settle it and force another choice.
According to the agreement shared with the journalists by the Democrats, Tabke will be sitting. Republicans will take control of the housing of the House of Representatives and preside over the committees. If the Democrats win the special elections scheduled for next month, the parties will co -deputy the committees and there will be an equal number of Democrats and Republicans in each committee, which requires a bipartisan vote to advance the legislation.
The speaker will have several limitations in an tied chamber. For example, each party will handle the assistance of their matches and select members for a conference committee to reconcile the legislation, instead of the speaker.
“Democrats have been successful in our struggle to protect the will of voters. The shared power agreement that we announce today guarantees that representative Brad Tabke will fulfill his mandate and guarantees that the Democrats and Republicans share power when we are in a tie, “said the Democratic leader of the House of Representatives, Melissa Hortman.” A Tied house presents a challenge, but also presents a golden opportunity for the members of the Minnesota house to deliver the most bipartisan session that Minnesota has seen. ”
The state representative Lisa Demuth, who is expected to be elected speaker later on Thursday, said in a statement that the agreement puts the Republicans in a “strong position” to promote their legislative priorities and promote a new committee that will seek to uproot the waste and fraud in government spending.
“I feel honored to serve as a speaker during the full term, providing stability and a firm hand while we work to comply with our promises of fiscal responsibility, public safety and responsibility of the government,” he said in a statement. “This agreement puts Republicans in a solid position to fight for lower taxes, less heavy regulations and stronger support for families, farmers and small businesses.”
Democrat The State Senate, 34-33, and the Minnesota Governorate.
