Disorder continues in Minnesota House and Senate

(Clay Masters – MPRNews) – Disorder in the Minnesota Legislature will continue into March.
The Minnesota Supreme Court will hear arguments Thursday about whether the Republican-led sessions in the House are lawful.
House Democrats and Secretary of State Steve Simon want the state Supreme Court to say the House was improperly convened and that no actions taken so far should stand. Simon has said nothing can happen without 68 members present.
Republicans, who have 67 seats, say he’s wrong and overstepping his authority.
The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled Governor Tim Walz prematurely called a special election for a Roseville-area House seat. Walz said a special election will now happen around March 5, although that proclamation hasn’t been issued yet.
A Becker County judge decided Senator Nicole Mitchell’s felony burglary trial won’t occur before the legislative session concludes, an adjournment that could come as late as May 19.
Mitchell was arrested last year at her stepmother’s home in Detroit Lakes. Mitchell denies accusations of theft. The judge agreed with Mitchell’s lawyers that a legislative privilege exists and she can’t be forced to stand trial while the Legislature is in session.