(KNOX) – Democratic and Republican leaders of the Minnesota House reached a power-sharing agreement Wednesday night to end a three-week dysfunctional stalemate.
DFL Leader Melissa Hortmann said, “While they have a one-seat advantage, Republicans will chair committees. When we are tied, we will have cochairs and equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans on all the committees.”
Hortmann says Republican leader Lisa Demuth will be House Speaker for two years.
“The best negotiation is when not everyone walks out completely happy, but the compromises that were made, having a Republican Speaker with very few limitations over the next two years is a huge win for Republicans,” Demuth said.
Democrats have stayed away from the House since January 14, disputing the body didn’t have a quorum with 67 members instead of 68. The House GOP holds a one-seat majority until a special election in March that is expected to put the House in a 67-67 tie.
The last time the Minnesota House was tied was 1979.
