The debate over whether Minnesota House Republicans acted lawfully when they elected a speaker is headed to the state Supreme Court. Democratic-Farmer-Labor Secretary of State Steve Simon and the House DFL have filed lawsuits to stop Republicans from taking control of the House for the next two years,

The unprecedented start of the legislative session went on with the usual pomp and formality of years prior. As if the Democratic half of the chamber weren’t empty, and the rules on how to proceed not the source of vehement dispute.

Minnesota legislative battle shifted to the state Supreme Court on Wednesday. Minnesota House Democrats and Secretary of State Steve Simon separately asked the court to nullify the Republicans’ actions on the first day of session Tuesday when the GOP convened and elected a speaker without the DFLers present.