Week three of the legislative session was much of the same as the first two weeks. Following the ruling of the Supreme Court that the House needs 68 votes to declare a quorum, all House committee meetings were canceled. The Secretary of State gaveled in the House each day last week and each day declared that a quorum was not present and adjourned. Leaders of both parties in the House have still not come to a power-sharing agreement and as of late last week, they are not meeting with each other.
House GOP sues the Secretary of State
Last week saw GOP leaders file a lawsuit against Secretary of State Simon. The GOP alleges that Secretary of State Simon has overstepped his authority in adjourning the House when a quorum is not present and not allowing present GOP members to make a motion on the floor. GOP members are trying to pass a motion to compel absent members to the House floor. Oral arguments in front of the Minnesota Supreme Court are set for Thursday, February 6th.
Senate moves to expel Mitchell
Last Tuesday, Senate GOP members made a motion on the floor to expel Senator Mitchell from the Minnesota Senate. This was the same day that Senator Mitchell’s trial for felony burglary charges was set to begin but following a judge's ruling, delayed until at least 60 days following the end of the legislative session. The motion would have taken a ¾ majority to pass, but before a vote could happen the motion was ruled out of order by the Senate President.
DFL return to a majority in the Senate
On Thursday, a special election was held in Senate District 60. DFL candidate Doran Clark won with 90% of the vote. Senator-Elect Clark is expected to be sworn in sometime this week in which case the Senate will return to a 34-33 DFL majority.
Looking ahead to this week
ARRM has three bills scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday in the Senate Human Services Committee. ARRM’s Out of Home Respite (SF 446), Policy (SF 401), and Best Life Alliance Bill (402) will all be heard beginning at 3:00 pm.
Action Alert Update
Thank you to everyone who sent a message to their legislators in response to the Governor’s budget proposal. As of Sunday, ARRM members have sent 1700 messages! Our goal is 2,000 messages sent, so please share with your networks and take a couple of minutes to send a message if you have not done so already!
If you have already sent a message and heard back from your legislator, ARRM staff want to hear from you. Please share the feedback you received from your elected official by using this contact reporting form on the ARRM website.
Please reach out with any questions!
--Sara Grafstrom, Senior Director of State and Federal Policy