DFL Rep. Jamie Long and Republican House Leader Lisa Demuth joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright to talk through a key decision Friday from the Minnesota Supreme Court and whether it will deepen the partisan standoff or lead to a power-sharing agreement in the House.

In a major victory for Minnesota House Democrats Friday, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that 68 House members must be present for a quorum, which means the lower chamber has had no official proceedings during a Democratic boycott.

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.

Justices said a quorum is 68 members, meaning there are not enough Republican House members to do business unless DFLers show up.

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.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) – The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of the DFL petition on what constitutes a quorum in the House of Representatives Friday.

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Friday sided with Democrats in their interpretation of quorum question at the center of a power dispute in the state House, ruling that the 68 members need to be present to meet that threshold.

Minnesota DFL House Leader Rep. Melissa Hortman (back left) stands in a courtroom after oral arguments were presented to the Minnesota Supreme Court at the Minnesota Judicial Center in St. Paul on Thursday.

The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled on what constitutes a quorum, paving the way for a decision on control of the Minnesota House of Representatives – one day after hearing arguments from both DFL and GOP petitions.