UPDATE 12/5: Via the Morning Hot. the Star Tribune's J. Patrick Coolican reports:
Also, can Rep. Bob Barrett -- determined by a court not to live in his district -- vote during special session? Rep. Rick Hansen tells me he’s preparing expulsion bill. [end update]
At Politics in Minnesota's Capitol Report, Kevin Featherly reports in Leaders reach tentative agreement for special session:
Many months after the idea was first broached, it now appears a special session will happen.
Four legislative caucus leaders met Friday with Gov. Mark Dayton and agreed in principle to hold a special session.
“We don’t have an agreement or a deal on it, but we have outlined the parameters,” Dayton told reporters after the meeting.
The leaders will meet again on Monday to hammer out full details.
According to Dayton, the special session’s primary task will be to tackle the health care crisis . . .
The special session would likely take place around Dec. 20.
We're left wondering: should Rep. Bob Barrett, R-Doesn't Live in His District, be seated in the special session?
Back in September, Minnesota Public Radio's Brian Bakst reported in MN Supreme Court: GOP House lawmaker disqualified from 4th-term bid:
The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled a Republican state House incumbent ineligible for November's election amid questions about his residency.
Justices ordered a February special election for that seat after accepting the findings of a court-appointed referee that Rep. Bob Barrett doesn't live in the Chisago County district northeast of St. Paul that he now represents.
Barrett owns a home in a nearby district but rented a property in the one he ran in.
The decision means the Minnesota House will start its next session with 133 members, down one, which could be pivotal if the split between parties is close. Republicans are currently in the majority.
Barrett, a three-term lawmaker, owns a home in Shafer, where his wife resides, but insists he spends sufficient time and has taken enough steps to qualify as a resident of Taylors Falls.
The distinction matters because Minnesota legislators must live in the district they represent at least six months before the election.
Rather than remove Barrett from the ballot, the court said no winner should be declared in November. Justices turned to a new state law that triggers a special election the following February.
If Barrett was ineligible to be on the ballot, should he be allowed to represent people in the district in the special session? He doesn't live in Minnesota House District 32B.
See our earlier posts for more information:
Carpetbagger Bob Barrett's bid blown
Ineligible to hold office: should Bob Barrett resign from the MN House of Representatives?
Image: Bob Barrett doesn't live in his district and the seat will be vacant until a February special election. Why should he vote in a special session?
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Barrett should have been expelled immediately upon the Supreme Court decision that he does not live in the residence he claims. He sat in the chair for six years illegally and voted on laws and regulations that honest people are supposed to follow. Barrett obviously considers himself above the law. Did he also vote illegally? I assume he did and he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Posted by: Terri Norman | Dec 16, 2016 at 07:45 AM