Democrats in the Minnesota house of representatives refused to show up to start a legislative session on Tuesday in an unprecedented move designed to boycott attempts by Republicans to take advantage of a temporary majority in the chamber.
The house came out of the November election tied 67-67, and top leaders from both parties started to work out a power-sharing agreement that presumed a tie. But a judge late last month declared that a newly elected Democrat did not live in his heavily Democratic district.
That gave the Republican party a 67-66 majority until a special election can take place in two weeks. Republicans declared their intent to take full advantage until the tie is restored.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Republicans are pressing ahead on their agenda over the objections of the secretary of state, which will probably lead to lawsuits to intervene.
