Last Friday, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the House Republican attempted power grab of the last two weeks violated our state constitution. Every GOP action, including the election of a fake Speaker and appointment of fake committees, was unlawful and illegitimate. In November, voters elected an equal number of Democrats and Republicans to represent them in the House. Now, it’s time for the GOP to start working together with Democrats to develop a fair power sharing agreement so we can return to the Capitol to govern as Minnesotans intended.
In addition to honoring the will of the voters across the state, Republicans also must respect the results of the election in Shakopee where voters elected DFLer Brad Tabke to represent them. Instead, Republicans are refusing to seat him, which would disenfranchise 22,000 voters. The reason they want to do this is simple: to empower them to advance their extreme agenda, including taking away reproductive freedoms, eliminating paid family leave, rolling back progress to address climate change, and ending free school meals for kids.
House DFLers will not allow Republicans to overturn an election simply because they can. Never before has a legislator been kicked out when they have done nothing wrong, and to do so would gravely subvert the free and fair elections Minnesotans expect. Rep. Tabke won on election night, won in a recount, and won in court. DFLers look forward to returning to the Capitol once we have an agreement with Republicans that respects the will of the voters.
Currently, Republicans have a temporary one-seat advantage – kind of like a power play in hockey. But they want to change the rules in the middle of the game to give them a permanent two-year advantage, even when we’re once again in a tie. Our proposal is simple: Republicans can run the House while they have an advantage, but when the House returns to a 67-67 tie, we must return to a fair, co-governing model.
Minnesota voters sent a clear message on Election Night – they expect us to govern together. It’s time for Republicans to return to the negotiating table so we can move forward.
Last week, while the House Republicans held sham committee hearings and unconstitutional Floor sessions, silencing thousands of Minnesotans, my DFL colleagues are out in communities across the state; amplifying the valuable voices of our districts, listening to how we can support local leaders/advocates at the state level, and reassuring our residents know we are front and center ready to work for them.
Here are a few community events that I’ve attended in the past week:
Planned Parenthood tour: Reproductive and sexual healthcare is essential for all Minnesotans. In Minnesota, we empower people to make informed choices about their bodies and families, including access to contraception, safe abortion services, and prenatal care. The care provided at the St. Paul Planned Parenthood health center is critical in this post-Roe world.
Meeting with Mexican Consulate: It was an honor to meet with Mexican Consul Ivan Roberto Sierra Medel and SEIU representative Samantha Diaz today to discuss immigration safety and opportunities at the state level to support our immigrant rights.
I appreciate the work of our Consulate of Mexico in St. Paul that has partnered to advocate on everything from cultural arts initiatives, education, workforce, and safety.
Minnesota Nurses Association: I love to hear from community leaders and advocates about matters that are important to them. I had the opportunity to meet with The Minnesota Nurses Association to learn more about their policy initiatives and their hopes for the 2025 legislative session.
It was great to hear firsthand their goals and ways we can partner at the state level to continue to support our nurses, patients, and quality healthcare in Minnesota.
Meeting with Metro State University: Great to meet and discuss legislative priorities with Metro State University Metro State University’s President Virginia (Ginny) Arthur.
Gracias Ginny for your leadership in Higher Education and advocating for Minnesotans to pave their own opportunities through educational excellence and programming that we in the MN House have been able to support.
 MN Latino Museum: I had the opportunity to host a meeting with House DFL Capital Investment Chair Representative Fue Lee and Neighborhood House president Janet Gracia, MN Latino Museum Director Aaron Johnson-Ortiz and Youthprise Director Marcus Pope. We had great conversations, visions and projects to make our community continue to blossom our state and bring back the St Paul we hold orgullo and thrive for.
In this tumultuous time, I will continue the work in whatever way I need to protect representative democracy and ensure that everyone has access to protecting bodily autonomy and reproductive rights, dignified social services, a welcoming state for all, and the ability to build wealth for their families.
I will continue to join my DFL colleagues in a pledge to deny quorum by not attending floor sessions to prevent them from throwing out an election and moving forward with a MAGA agenda that will harm our community. Until House Republicans return to the negotiating table to commit to a power sharing agreement and to honor the will of the Shakopee voters, I will be continuing the same work that I do in our community -- meeting with constituents, community leaders, and people from around the state in the work of moving forward my legislative agenda that shifts power, agency and economic opportunity to Minnesota families.
To state the obvious, this is a unique and unprecedented situation. Please reach out to me with any questions you have – I would be happy to connect about this or anything else that is important to you.
It is an honor to represent our community in the Minnesota House and I am deeply grateful and committed to be doing this work with you to build a future together where all Minnesotans can thrive.
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