Absent from the Minnesota Capitol, where is the House DFL?
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The first week of chaos at the Minnesota Capitol is subsiding, but it’s still only Republicans showing up at the House.
DFLers remain absent as a strategic move in a battle over how they should share control.
Away from the Capitol
Dig deeper:
DFL lawmakers say they’re still doing their jobs, so FOX 9 tracked down 16 members on Friday at meetings and on a variety of tours.
They say this is part of what they do, especially early in a session.
But Republicans say they’re skipping out on the real work.
While Rep. Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) has gaveled in three sessions as ostensible Speaker of the House, exactly half the chamber has remained empty.
The House DFL won’t come to the Capitol, but they insist they’re still working for the people of Minnesota.
"This current situation is allowing all of us more time to focus on the part of our job that deals with meeting people in our districts," said Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park), who would've been co-speaker in a power-sharing agreement.
Looking at results
By the numbers:
Five representatives toured Red Lake Nation College in Minneapolis on Friday, checking out the year-old facility built partly with money from the state.
"When we put bonding money into play, it’s always nice to come back out and see the final result," said Rep. Heather Keeler (DFL-Moorhead).
The sprinkler system at Seward Towers caught the attention of Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL-Minneapolis).
He helped get $10 million in funding to protect high rise buildings not long after a deadly 2019 fire.
"This is going to make sure that their work is easier and the residents can live in a safer environment," said Rep. Noor.
What does this accomplish?
Why you should care:
FOX 9 saw DFLers visiting a Head Start program where they also briefed the media on what they hope to accomplish this year, from afar and later, at the Capitol.
That includes defending laws they passed with a trifecta, but also bipartisan efforts like cheaper housing and better education.
They argue these meetings away from the Capitol are valuable, and the session doesn’t really pick up steam until a budget forecast in late February.
And they claim that their attempt to deny a quorum by being absent for as long as three weeks shouldn’t delay much of anything.
GOP counter
What's next:
Meanwhile, their GOP counterparts are coming to work every day at the Capitol.
"To think that House Democrats would choose to stay away from the chamber and stay away from what we’ve been elected to do while they wait that out is quite questionable," said Rep. Demuth.
Everybody should get some clarity before too long.
The Minnesota Supreme Court will hear arguments on Thursday about whether a quorum is 67 or 68 members.