Minnesota’s supreme court sided with the Democrats, ruling that 68 house members — a majority of the 134-seat chamber — must be present to establish a quorum.

The Minnesota House has been unable to get anything done as Democrats and Republicans fight over which party should be in control.

The DFL’s boycott of House proceedings headed into its third week Monday. House GOP and DFL leaders hadn’t reached a deal after meeting over the weekend and again Monday morning.

House Republicans drafted a motion on Monday, Jan. 27 to ask absent Democrats to end their boycott, and for those who remain absent to forgo their legislative salary, but Secretary of State Steve Simon adjourned the House floor before the motion could be heard.

Minnesota’s top court ruled that Republicans had overstepped their authority by conducting business in the Legislature even as Democrats boycotted the session.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has sided with Democrats in a power struggle with Republicans over control of the state House of Representatives.

Minnesota Democrats are trying to prevent Republicans from taking advantage of a temporary one-seat majority caused by a vacancy in a Democratic-leaning seat, and the chamber is expected to return to 67-67 after a special election.

The Minnesota Supreme Court handed Democrats a major win Friday, effectively ruling that Republicans didn’t have enough members to conduct business in the Minnesota House. The state’s highest court ruled that a quorum — the necessary number of members needed to conduct business — is 68 members out of 134 officials.