How a deadlocked Minnesota Legislature could work
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Legislative leaders from both parties pledged Wednesday to negotiate a power-sharing agreement in preparation for a likely 67-67 tie in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Why it matters: While Minnesota is used to divided government, the state is poised to enter relatively uncharted waters next year.
The big picture: The big details, like which party will hold the speaker's gavel and how to divvy up committee seats, are still TBD.
- House GOP leader Lisa Demuth and Democratic Speaker Melissa Hortman both said it's too soon to speculate on how those could shake out.
What they're saying: Demuth picked up three GOP seats on Tuesday — falling just short in her bid to flip the chamber. She called the outcome a "perfect opportunity" to restore civility at the Capitol by working across the aisle.
- Hortman echoed that tone, saying she's confident they can co-govern effectively given their positive relationship and her caucus's track record working with Senate Republicans during the pandemic.
Zoom in: Demuth said her caucus's top priorities are "restoring the transparency and accountability."
- Hortman, meanwhile, suggested reforms to how the House operates — perhaps even a law change to increase the number of seats to avoid a future tie — could be in the cards.
Flashback: In 1979, the last and only session on record where there was a tie in the House, lawmakers worked out a fragile power-sharing agreement after months of negotiations.
- Under the deal, Republicans held the speakership and Democrats got the gavel of the most covered committees, including taxes and appropriations, MPR News reports.
What happened: Lawmakers were largely able to govern in the months that followed, focusing on bills with bipartisan support.
- But things went off the rails at the end of the session, when one side took advantage of a member's hospitalization to oust him from the Legislature over alleged campaign law violations.
Threat level: The political and partisan landscape in Minnesota was much different — and less polarized — 46 years ago.
- "In 1978 ... members could look across the partisan aisle and see others who shared geographies, social ideologies and economic philosophies with them," Longtime DFL strategist Todd Rapp posted to X.
- "Today, that is more rare."
Case in point: Tensions between the two caucuses boiled over in May, after Democrats pushed through sweeping spending and policy packages over GOP objections during the chaotic final minutes of the session.
What's next: Republicans may seek a publicly funded recount in two House districts where incumbent Democrats hold narrow leads. A win in either would give them a narrow majority.
- In the meantime, Demuth and Hortman say they plan to start negotiations after their respective caucus leadership meetings this week.