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.  

“The number one issue I hear about is don’t bailout Minneapolis,” said Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont). “But we government does have a responsibility to help keep the public safe. This bill makes sure Minneapolis has the resources to protect its citizens, but that the city also has skin in the game when it comes to covering costs.”

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.