Plenty of news late yesterday. It warrants a Saturday edition of morning take.
Here’s a good watch of Gov. Walz and legislative leaders last night on Almanac. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4h1C3ni
Stay warm and listen to Sunday Take at 9AM on WCCO Radio tomorrow.
Blois
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On Sunday Take House Leaders Lisa Demuth and Melissa Hortman were guests to discuss the upcoming legislative session, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3DOnWD0
WHAT HAPPENED: Two court rulings Friday that will have a major impact on the 2025 legislative session:
The Minnesota Supreme Court halted the special election to fill a House seat left vacant after a judge ruled the candidate who won in November didn’t live in the district.
A Becker County judge postponed Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s burglary trial until after the legislative session’s scheduled end.
STATE OF PLAY: The GOP currently holds a 67-66 majority in the House. The Senate, with Mitchell in attendance, is tied with each party having 33 members.
40B: From Caroline Cummings via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Supreme Court on Friday canceled the special election for a metro House race later this month, finding Gov. Tim Walz set the date before state law requires. The election was scheduled for Jan. 28 for House District 40B, after the DFL winner in November's election didn't appeal judge's ruling that he didn't live there and couldn't serve. Early voting was already underway; now those ballots cast are voided and can't be counted when the special election is eventually rescheduled, the Court said in its order.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42jIf5v
MORE: From Nick Longworth via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “The successful challenge temporarily breaks the 67-67 tie in the Minnesota House, giving House Republicans a 67-66 majority over the DFL.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40joKHD
MORE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Walz said Friday night on the Twin Cities Public Television show ‘Almanac’ that he now expects an election to occur on March 5. ‘We’ll go back. Analyze it. We’ll issue the writ. Get that election done. Let them get to work. It’s going to end up 67-67, and that’s where we go from there,’ he said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DYWwdQ
MORE REACTIONS
DEMUTH: From Speaker Lisa Demuth via X, VERBATIM: “I’m pleased the court correctly ruled that the Governor failed [to] follow the law in his attempt to speed up the special election to help the political fortunes of the Democrat party. We want the residents of 40B to have representation as soon as possible and look forward to the Governor calling a special election pursuant to state law.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3EaMDJX
NISKA: Via Minnesota Reformer’s Max Nesterak on X, from House Majority Leader Harry Niska (R-Ramsey), QUOTE: “The residents of District 40B deserve representation as soon as possible, and Gov. Walz should issue a writ of special election immediately. The Minnesota House passed a resolution on January 14 which allows the Governor to take action within 5 days – his failure to do so would prevent the writ from being issued until February 5, leaving voters in 40B without representation until March at the earliest. It’s time for Democrats to put an end to their political posturing, show up for work, and move quickly to ensure this seat is filled as quickly as possible so these voters have a choice again at the Capitol.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/40DZDkg
HORTMAN: Via Northern News Now’s Laura Lee, from House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman. QUOTE: “We appreciate the Supreme Court’s prompt decision. It is unfortunate that the people of District 40B will have to wait longer to be represented. Attempts by Minnesota Republicans to delay this election are an attempt to delay the inevitable: Democrat David Gottfried will win this election and the Minnesota House of Representatives will return to a 67-67 tie. When that happens, Democrats and Republicans must have a plan to govern together.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3EcnWNh
MORE: Via Minnesota Supreme Court, the order. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3WqLIeZ
WHATTOWATCH: Can DFLer’s keep their solidarity, or may some of them start to be anxious to return? Does the GOP have enough votes to not recognize the results in the 54A seat, where the judge ruled Rep. Brad Tabke the winner?
WILD ABOUT READING: More than 500 Minnesota classrooms and 15,000 students are participating in the “Wild About Reading” program, a partnership with Flint Hills Resources which encourages students to read more using Minnesota Wild-branded posters, reading logs, and bookmarks. Teachers set weekly reading goals and give certificates to students who complete the four-week program. Fun program incentives include classroom visits from the Wild’s mascot, Nordy – and the team dog, Rookie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: Wild About Reading SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources
MITCHELL: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “A Becker County judge has granted a motion to delay the trial of a Minnesota state senator charged with first-degree burglary. According to court records filed Friday, the trial for Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, will now happen within 60 days of May 19, 2025, which is the last day of the legislative session. She requested the delay last week, just before session began. The trial was scheduled to begin Jan. 27, but Mitchell's attorneys cited a law that states a law that states ‘no cause or proceeding, civil or criminal…shall be tried or heard during a session of the legislature’ if the member of legislature is an attorney, party or witness.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3WqkYem
MORE: From Rochelle Olson via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The senator is a first-term legislator beginning her third session. Her arrest in April 2024 upended the end of the session in which DFLers held only a 34-33 advantage over the GOP. The Senate is currently tied with 33 members in each party but is expected to return to the one-vote DFL advantage after a special election Jan. 28 to fill the Minneapolis seat held by late DFL Sen. Kari Dziedzic. Early on a Monday morning last April, Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, was arrested in the Detroit Lakes home her late father had shared with her stepmother. The senator was charged with a single charge of first-degree burglary. The senator said she was trying to obtain sentimental items. She has pleaded not guilty.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PMP3Rz
MORE: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Becker County Attorney Brian W. McDonald had opposed the motion to continue the trial, saying in a court filing ‘there were zero instances’ of state law being used to ‘delay a proceeding for the accused in a criminal proceeding.’ GOP Senate Leader Mark Johnson said Mitchell’s request to delay her trial ‘is an abuse of her status as a Senator.’” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40nJZIh
QUESTION: Is there a chance that there is a vote to expel Sen. Nicole Mitchell in the Minnesota Senate?
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