| The scuffle over control of the Minnesota House appears to be over. A deal struck yesterday should mean the House starts for real Thursday. Democrats are in the building for a morning news conference followed by one from Republicans. By afternoon, they're headed for the House floor. The terms, as outlined by sources, include giving GOP Rep. Lisa Demuth the speaker's gavel for two years, with some restrictions on the normal power of the role. Republicans will have committee power for at least a month until a special election. If that produces a tied House, Democrats will get a joint power model for committees with the exception of a new fraud oversight committee that will remain under GOP jurisdiction. Rep. Brad Tabke seems certain to keep his seat even if his close election draws a committee review. Staff complements will be equal among the parties. More to come from news conferences today.
This could bring the postponement of a Supreme Court hearing today, although no one was saying last night it was a certainty. The Minnesota Supreme Court had been planning to hear oral arguments around 10 a.m. in a case over Secretary of State Steve Simon's role in the House during the standoff. Republicans wanted the court to back up their argument that they can issue an ultimatum to Democrats: show up and participate or lose their pay. They say that Simon has "usurped" their power and stood in their way in his official role as presiding officer. Simon says he hasn't been presented with such a motion and even if he were, it would be outside his authority to allow it without 68 votes needed to establish a quorum. Republicans might still want a ruling, but it's just as likely the court stays out of it knowing this session is somewhat back on track.
Steve Simon found himself in the middle of a partisan fight — whether he liked it or not. In recent weeks, he's been the person with the most power and speaking time in the Minnesota House... and he isn't even one of its members. Clay Masters talked with the longest-serving executive branch member and some of his former colleagues in the House for this profile on him. Don't just read it — listen to the story for some fun 1980s nostalgia! Want to know who wasn't in the 1980s? Our good friend Caroline Cummings of WCCO TV, who is celebrating a big birthday today. HBD, Caroline!
A special election is now back on the books to fill the remaining and politically important House seat. Dana reports that the House 40B race to fill the suburban Ramsey County seat will be on March 11. Candidates have until Tuesday to get their paperwork in . A primary would be on Feb. 25 if necessary and the big election two weeks later. Remember, this is the race that had been in motion but then postponed after the Supreme Court ruled Gov. Tim Walz moved too hastily to schedule an election. If Democrats win, the House will be tied 67-67. If Republicans prevail, they would have the 68-seat majority that would allow them to operate and pass House bills on their own.
RFK Jr.'s confirmation vote is bearing down on the U.S. Senate and also provides a new hook for tap dancing teeth in Brainerd. Confused? Read on. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to be the secretary of Health and Human Services is headed to a full Senate vote, probably next week. Minnesota's newest U.S. House member, Kelly Morrison, a physician, doesn't have a vote on RFK Jr.'s confirmation. But she told MPR Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer yesterday that Kennedy, a vocal vaccine-skeptic, could do a lot of damage in that position. Meanwhile, as Kirsti Marohn reports from Brainerd , RFK's vow to take fluoride out of the nation's drinking water has made a play about Brainerd's own resistance to fluoridation even more relevant. The play, which includes tap dancing teeth, is about the city's fight against adding fluoride to its drinking water in the 1970s.
A couple hundred demonstrators met on the Capitol steps Wednesday to protest actions by President Donald Trump and his new administration. Hundreds of demonstrators showed up to push back on a menu of changes on immigration, LGBTQ rights and federal spending. It was among dozens of similar rallies around the country under a movement called "50-50-1," which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one day. As has been the case on social media and other settings, billionaire businessman Elon Musk was just as much a part of the complaints of protesters. Signs reflected the displeasure: "Nobody elected Elon," one read. | 