DFL Representative David Gottfried was sworn in, restoring the 67-67 tie in the Minnesota house on Monday March 17.

The tie makes it challenging for either side to pass legislation with 68 votes needed.

“The one big bill that is up today is really important,” said Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth. “We are hoping that our Democrat colleagues will join us helping to return any potential future surplus back into the hands of the taxpayers of Minnesota.”

The bill would a constitutional amendment on the ballot asking voters for lawmakers to return a portion of any future budget surplus to taxpayers.

The Minnesota house was split down party lines on the bill with House GOP leader Rep. Harry Niska saying, “Republicans are here with a simple message. Minnesota taxpayers deserve tax relief.”

DFL House Leader Jamie Long saying, “This bill just doesn’t work. It is not a serious bill.”

The bill failed to pass with Republicans and Democrats split 67-67.

In the Minnesota Senate, a series of proposed bills aim to get rid of funding for various efforts like a new train line from the Twin Cities to Duluth, along with funding for health care and tax credits for non-U.S citizens.

“We’ve identified over $640 million in immediate and future savings,” said GOP Republican Minority Leader Sen. Mark Johnson. “These are real dollars waiting to be spent on things that just don’t make sense and don’t put Minnesotans first.”

Senate DFL Majority Leader Erin Murphy issued a statement on the proposals stating, “It is increasingly clear that Republicans see programs that help people as ‘waste’: economic development, labor rights, support for farmers, Medicaid and Social Security for children and seniors,” she said. “Their budget priorities are tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy, paid for by everyone else. The DFL will fight for good-paying jobs, families and seniors, and the education and healthcare Minnesotans count on.”

Lawmakers are working on a tight time frame with only two months to agree on a two-year state budget.