Ousted From Power, Minn. GOP Ponders Capitol Role

ST. PAUL (AP) - Booted from statehouse power, Minnesota Republicans must figure out their new Capitol role.

They can be a source of noisy resistance against an all-Democratic government, an accommodating minority that is content with scratching out small victories or something in between.

The formal conversion of control occurs in January when the Legislature returns with Democrats in charge of the House and Senate to go along with a Democratic governor. It's the first time since the 1990 session that one party has held all three at once.

In last week's election, Republicans forfeited the legislative majorities they claimed just two years earlier

If legislative Democrats remain unified, for instance, they can pass education policy or write the $35 billion-plus two year budget without any GOP votes.

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