With a current boycott by Democrats in the Minnesota House of Representatives, 66 members of the DFL party are out of the office until further notice. Local organizers who have spent months orchestrating initiatives to connect local community members with their district legislators, including events like Black Entrepreneurs Day, now must consider whether they have to pivot, reschedule or cancel their events altogether.
The conflict in the chamber is the result of a judge’s ruling that a DFL winner did not live in the Roseville district where he ran for election. This shifted what was originally a tied chamber, with Republicans claiming the ruling gave them majority power and Democrats insisting that a power-sharing agreement should be honored. A special election is slated to fill the vacant seat on Jan. 28.
“A lot of Black business owners are in Democratic districts, and they are expecting to talk to their legislators on February 3rd – that’s why they’re shutting their businesses down for the day to be there,” said Sheletta Brundidge, Black Entrepreneurs Day event founder. “We want to do something positive that brings Black people together during Black History Month, but we can’t do that if half the House of Representatives is out of the office.”
Black Entrepreneurs Day, which is expected to bring hundreds of Black business owners to the Capitol, has been a catalyst for economic empowerment and policy advocacy. The event was created to help raise local business owners’ voices in the halls of power and offer grants, networking opportunities, and direct access to decision-makers.
Rep. Jim Nash, R-Waconia, expressed his disappointment over the boycott situation, and wishes he could guarantee it would be resolved soon and that his DFL colleagues were going to show up to the office.
“I want to address the bureaucracy to make sure that they are aware that the people in front of them are there to get their help to make their American dream come true,” said Rep. Nash in reference to the planned Black Entrepreneurs Day event. “I love when people have a need and historically have not been listened to are willing to show up and speak to legislators on both side of the aisle – this is not a partisan issue, this is a fix the deficiencies of government issue," he added.
Rep. Nash encourages event organizers and community members to reach out to House of Representative members, including Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park and Minnesota DFL House Majority Leader, Jamie Long, to express their concern, and share their expectation that members who they voted for and represent them will be there for them.
“The situation at the House right now is tricky,” said Senator Judy Seeberger, DFL-Afton, who is slated to pay tribute to the late Senator Kari Dziedzic during Black Entrepreneurs Day. “I think all of us would like to see them work it out – I am optimistic – I know government always finds a path forward, and my best wishes are with the House.”
According to Brian McDaniel, a Republican strategist and Principal at Momentum Advocacy, LLP, the boycott and its timing are a big deal. “I do think they’re going to work something out but until then, it means you can’t have proper floor sessions or proper bill introductions or proper committee meetings and it’s being disruptive to the political process,” said McDaniel. “You’re representing the people of Minnesota and that can’t happen properly until everybody is at the Capitol, and it would be a shame for people to not be able to talk to their representatives.”
McDaniel pointed out that it will be a challenge for anyone trying to reschedule their events because the Capitol is booked throughout the whole session due to construction in the building that has created limited event space.
“It’s important that as legislators we hear from Black entrepreneurs what is important to them and how we can partner with them to ensure they are successful and get what they need, said Sen. Seeberger. “It’s such a good launching pad for so many of them to meet their legislators – many have never been to the Capitol before, and have never met with a legislator before, so to get that opportunity to connect with someone who establishes policy is so important.”
Until a boycott resolution is reached, the dispute over who will control the chamber is likely to create a domino effect, and Minnesota Capitol event organizers should consider back-up plans and strategies to ensure the success of their individual initiatives.
“I can’t just hope that everything will be okay,” said Brundidge. “These businesses are coming to lobby for themselves, and when people travel all the way to the state Capitol from Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud and Alexandria, a legislator from their district needs to be there to listen to them,” she added.