On Monday, the Minnesota Senate passed emergency funding for law enforcement. This legislation came forward in response to an emergency funding request made by Governor Walz last week. Included language secures $2.75 million for the law enforcement response to civil unrest through the Interstate Emergency Management Assistance Compact and $6.3 million for Minnesota State Trooper expenses related to the unrest and Chauvin trial.
“Minnesotans across the state deserve to be protected, which is why we passed funding last year to keep our communities safe, and now the issue is before us again today,” said Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia). “In the midst of civil unrest, law enforcement agencies need and deserve our support now more than ever. The Governor requested this emergency funding, so now it’s time for the House to get on board with this legislation so that our communities are adequately protected throughout the coming weeks.”
Earlier this session, the Senate passed legislation funding for the Law Enforcement Operations Account (LEO), committing to keep Minnesotans safe by securing resources for emergency law enforcement operations tied to extraordinary and unplanned emergency events. House Democrats failed to pass the bill or Governor Walz’s version of the legislation, known as SAFE. Additionally, House Democrats have not introduced any of their own provisions regarding emergency police funding, jeopardizing the safety of residents of the Twin Cities and hindering law enforcement’s ability to respond to emergency events.
Today’s legislation is the byproduct of a public safety conversation between legislative leaders and the Governor this past weekend. Legislative leaders all agreed with the importance of getting the bill done at the time of the request.
“It’s time for us to come together to ensure our law enforcement has proper funding and our full support,” finished Sen. Lang.
Senate File 2441 passed the Senate with tripartisan support on a vote of 48-19. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.