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.

Minnesota House Republicans want the state Supreme Court to allow them to pressure Democratic-Farmer-Labor representatives to end their Capitol boycott as a weeks-long power struggle continues to stall legislative action.

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.

The appointment of Maria Elena Cruz broadens the racial, geographic and political diversity of the seven-member, Republican-dominated court.

Maria Elena Cruz, a state appeals court judge, is the first Latina and first Black Arizonan to serve on the state’s most influential bench.