SC Minnesota News

After nearly a month of legislative delays, the Minnesota House has reached an organizational agreement that will allow lawmakers to resume their work. The impasse was caused by the absence of a quorum, which is required for the House to conduct official business. According to the Minnesota Supreme Court, at least 68 members must be present for proceedings. With Republicans holding 67 seats and Democrats 66, the lack of Democratic legislators stalled activity.

The new agreement outlines several steps for moving forward. Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth will continue as Speaker of the House for the entire 2025-26 biennium, providing leadership continuity. For the first five weeks after this agreement, Republicans will chair all committees and hold a one-vote majority, giving them control during this period.

If a special election in Roseville results in a tied House with 67 members from each party, committees would shift to a co-chair system with equal representation from both parties and rotating committee control.

A new House Fraud and Agency Oversight Committee has also been established under this agreement. It will have a permanent Republican chair and a 5-3 Republican majority throughout the biennium. This committee is tasked with investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in state government programs.

"This deal was crucial for moving the House forward. With a state budget on the line and so much work to be done, it was imperative that we reached an agreement that would allow us to get back to business," said Rep. Erica Schwartz.

"I know we’ll face challenges ahead, but I’m optimistic. This agreement sets us up to make real progress on the issues that matter most to all of us!" Schwartz added.

She encouraged constituents to reach out with questions or feedback about legislative matters: "As always, I want to hear from you! Your ideas, concerns, and feedback help shape the work I do for our district. Whether you have questions about a specific issue or just want to stay updated on what's happening at the Capitol, please reach out. My office is here to serve you, and I’m always ready to listen."

"Thank you for the privilege of representing District 18A. Together, we’ll continue working to make Minnesota a better place to live for all people," Schwartz concluded.