Republicans on Thursday filed a petition to the state's highest court arguing DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon has overstepped his authority in the days since the House hit the reset button late last week.

With House DFLers absent from the capitol for 10 days, House Republicans have been moving forward with regular business.

The justices, in a written ruling released Friday afternoon, agreed with House Democratic leaders and Secretary of State Steve Simon who argued that a quorum in the House was 68 members under the state constitution, not the 67 that Republicans claimed. The Supreme Court cited an article in the Minnesota Constitution as part of their reasoning.

November's elections left the House in a 67-67 even split, but Democratic Curtis Johnson was ruled ineligible due to residency requirements in District 40B, giving the GOP a temporary 67-66 advantage until a special election – which the DFL is almost certain to win – can be held.

Republicans, who have been unable to conduct House business during a holdout by Democrats, say their actions are being squelched by quick adjournments and no ability to force the other party back.