Source: Christian Science Monitor
by staff
“Well, you don’t see this every day in America’s polarized politics. Last week, the leaders of each party in Minnesota’s House of Representatives announced that committee chairs in the chamber will be equally divided come Jan. 14 when a new Legislature convenes. Two people will share custody of one gavel on each of 23 panels. In addition, the leaders of each party (both women) are working on a plan to share the role of speaker in the tied chamber – a Democrat at some times, a Republican at others. The Nov. 5 election resulted in an evenly split state House (67-67), assuming legal challenges in two races don’t stand up. ‘What makes it work is if people respect each other and have a fundamental decency,’ Rep. Melissa Hortman, current House speaker and a member of the state’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, told Minnesota Public Radio.” (12/02/24)
https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2024/1202/One-gavel-two-hands-in-Minnesota