DFL wins the right to continue political stunt

Today the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a quorum in the legislature “requires a majority of the total number of seats of each house. Vacancies do not reduce the number required for a majority of each house to constitute a quorum.” This means a quorum in the House is 68 of the 134 seats allotted by law. The question has been settled. But what does it mean?

It rewards the House Democrats’ blatant political move to boycott the House floor as a successful tactic to prevent Republican Leader Lisa Demuth from being elected Speaker. It means they can continue to stay away from the House floor until a new member is elected in March to replace the guy they put up in November who didn’t even live in his district. It means while they’re pulling this stunt, the Republicans can’t move forward and govern. It means the Senate and Gov. Walz also have to wait until March for this stunt to end and no progress will be made on the state budget that must be completed by the end of session in May.

The Court ruling does not mean the Democrats won. They only won the chance to continue their childish boycott with impunity. Minnesotans should punish them for boycotting the House in a desperate attempt to hold on to a shred of power after voters rejected their message and defeated their candidates at the last election.

All eyes will be on Rep. Melissa Hortman and her caucus on Monday. When Secretary of State Steve Simon returns to gavel in the House, will they show up? Will they continue to blame their absence on a threat that Republicans will unseat Brad Tabke? Can they even explain that to average Minnesotans?

House Republicans could take away their last talking point by announcing there is no imminent plan to unseat Tabke. With that threat removed, Hortman will have to explain the real reason they are boycotting: power.