ST. PAUL — A court fight over Minnesota’s lieutenant governor could end up costing state taxpayers nearly $147,000 in legal fees.

The Minnesota Senate is considering whether to absorb the legal fees of former Republican state Sen. Michelle Fischbach. After fighting a lawsuit trying to remove her from office, Fischbach resigned her Senate seat after the Legislature adjourned in May.

Fischbach had argued she could remain a senator and serve as lieutenant governor at the same time. By staying in the Senate she protected the GOP’s narrow majority.

A Senate subcommittee voted 2-1 Monday to recommend the Senate Rules Committee pay Fischbach’s legal costs.

Fischbach was the Senate’s president. She was elevated to lieutenant governor when Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton appointed then-Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to the U.S. Senate.