In a recent press release, State Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, listed “Stop the Fraud” as one of his top priorities for the 2025 Legislative session. Of course, Swedzinski is referring the “Feeding Our Future” scandal and FBI investigation of Minnesota autism centers. However, there is a different kind of fraud flourishing in St. Paul these days. It involves the Legislature itself.

Minnesota voters send their representatives to Minnesota Legislature to work for them. The Legislative session only lasts four months. Voters expect their representatives to spend each one of those days during those four months working wisely on a state budget and enact laws that make sense and protects residents.

Instead, nothing is getting done. At least not in the House. Or should we say nothing constructive is getting done. Instead, a boycott, an alleged coup and multiple lawsuits are delaying positive production in the Legislature. A complete waste of time and a waste of taxpayer funds that go toward compensating lawmakers for working in the Legislature.

On Thursday, the Minnesota Supreme Court will hear arguments in the DFL lawsuit against the GOP that argues House Republicans were wrong to claim they have a majority in the House. That’s one of the reasons why 66 House DFL representatives had a secret swear-in and are boycotting the session.

Republicans have so far refused to seat DFL Rep. Brad Tabke despite the fact that a district court ruled that Tabke did win his House election by 14 votes — even though 20 ballots have gone missing. That’s why Democrats say they will continue their boycott. 

After another court ruling on Friday, it now looks like a special House election in Roseville won’t happen until sometime in March. Democrat Curtis Johnson easily won but had to resign after a court ruled he did not meet residency requirements. 

During that time, GOP House Leader Lisa Demuth says Republicans will control the House and she will continue as speaker. She also says the GOP may pursue recall elections against DFL members who don’t show up.

And Democrats have dug in their heels and continue with a boycott of the House session

Yep, it’s a mess.

At the same time he unveiled his budget proposal, Gov. Tim Walz urged lawmakers to end the power struggle and get back to work.

“Just work together on a power-sharing agreement,” he said.

Of course Walz is siding with the Democrats on the battle in the House power sharing dispute. But the governor is not wrong in prodding lawmakers to get back to work

“You’re not going to win in a court of public opinion. We got a split Legislature. That is acknowledged. Just go with that. You’re not going to overturn an election,” he said.

Meanwhile, despite the controversy over Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s first-degree burglary case, the Senate is off to a running start. The Senate passed a power-sharing resolution to deal with the 33-33 tie.

“This power-sharing agreement demonstrates the Senate’s commitment to putting Minnesotans first, Sen. Gary Dahms, R-Redwood Falls, said.

We agree with Sen. Dahms. Members of the House need to come up with a compromise and get back to work.

Put Minnesotans first.