The Minnesota Senate today approved a bipartisan bill that would hold cities accountable to pay their mutual aid agreements and prevent Governor Walz from diverting funds away from education and healthcare to cover cities’ public safety costs that defund the police.  

“We are more than willing to help our neighbors stay safe, but cities that are under threat must make public safety a priority as well,” said Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault). “Minneapolis has yet to do so. If they expect other cities to help them in the event of future predictable riots, then they need to have some skin in the game. Our bill makes sure they bear that responsibility.”

The bill allows cities that provided mutual aid but haven’t been reimbursed for it yet to apply to have their Local Government Aid (LGA) adjusted to match the amount owed. The funds would be provided by lowering the LGA from the city that owes the mutual aid payment.