In a petition to the Supreme Court, Democrats in the state House accuse Republicans of acting "unlawfully" when they conducted House business on Tuesday, including electing a speaker, with no DFL members present.

Steve Simon, who as secretary of state initiates the first House proceedings, ruled there was not a quorum present and adjourned the session. Republicans argued he couldn’t do that.

The Minnesota Legislative Session entered its second day on Wednesday, as did an organized boycott by House DFL members. The ongoing power dispute comes as Republicans have established themselves a structural majority in the House.