The Minnesota Supreme Court on Thursday appeared skeptical of House Republicans’ argument that the judiciary should stay out of the workings of the Minnesota House. The six justices hearing the high-stakes case that could determine control of the Minnesota House seemed poised to issue a ruling that would answer a key question: How many House

After listening to GOP and DFL lawyers argue it out Thursday, the Minnesota Supreme Court could soon rule in a pair of cases that may shift the current power structure in the state House of Representatives.

At the root of the cases before the justices is a question of whether 67 lawmakers is enough for a quorum when there's a vacancy in the 134-seat House of Representatives.

With accusations flying over which party is ignoring state law, the fight to control the Minnesota House is shifting from lawmakers to lawyers. DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon is calling on the Minnesota Supreme Court to weigh in on who has what power.

What does having a quorum mean for the Minnesota House of Representatives? This question will likely be decided by the state's Supreme Court after state Democrats sued state Republicans for electing a speaker with only 67 members present on the first day of session.

Simon’s opinion comes while Democrats are threatening a no-show if Republicans do not agree to a power-sharing agreement.

As Democrats continue to boycott, the Minnesota high court will hear arguments Thursday over whether House Republicans have a quorum with 67 members, or if 68 members are needed to hold sessions

The Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday on how deeply it should intervene in a power struggle between Democrats and Republicans over who should control the state House of Representatives.

Minnesota Sec. of State Steve Simon is addressing leaders of the Minnesota House of Representatives ahead of what could be a sour start to the session, saying Republicans, with 67 seats, don’t have the necessary number needed in state constitution.

At issue before the court is whether the current 67 Republican members constitute a quorum needed for the Minnesota House to do business.

Democratic-Farmer-Labor Secretary of State Steve Simon and the House DFL have filed lawsuits to stop Republicans from taking control of the House for the next two years, arguing it’s unconstitutional for them to move forward without Democrats present.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon waits to be called before the session begins on the first day of the 94th legislative session at the Minnesota State Capitol Building in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer. The ...