On Monday, the Senate passed legislation 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. 

“This legislation is a common-sense reform that reaffirms our state’s commitment to law enforcement departments across the state,” Senator Mark Koran (R-North Branch) said. “After the riots and unrest in the Twin Cities this past summer, communities rallied to help out Minneapolis by providing support, but some still haven’t been reimbursed. With the Chauvin trial fast approach, Minnesota needs to show its support for law enforcement and its opposition to further unrest. This bill will allow departments to continue to answer the call and ensures that communities meet their public safety requirements even if their own city council votes to undermine that support.”

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

Following the bill’s passage, Governor Walz, via his spokesperson, Mr. Tschann, issued a statement accusing Senate Republicans of voting to defund the police. This was after House Democrats failed to pass their own version of the legislation on the same day. 

“I think the Governor may have mistaken Minnesota’s political parties in his statement,” Senator Koran continued. “I hope that Walz has since recalled that in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s tragic death, it was his party calling for defunding and removal of police. Those sentiments ran true again yesterday when House Democrats failed to pass their own funding package due to those same concerns.”