After unprecedented outcry and opposition from Minnesotans, law enforcement groups, and legislators, the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission (MSGC) voted Thursday, Jan. 13, to postpone action on a controversial proposal to reduce sentences for repeat criminals.

Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Chair Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, issued the following statement.

“I want to thank all the citizens who made their voice heard after we raised concerns about this policy. This is good news for victims and the public. But I have serious concerns the direction that Governor Walz’s appointees to the MSGC have taken. We will continue to review their activity with scrutiny to keep the public safe. A delay just means they may try to bring this up again, and we will be here to stop this reckless and unwanted policy from going forward.”

Senate and House Republican leaders held a press conference Thursday morning urging the commission to reject the proposal, and dozens of lawmakers sent letters last month to the commission voicing strong opposition. You can find a copy of the House letter here, and the Senate letter here.

While action was postponed today, the Chair of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission made it clear that they will continue pursuing this controversial policy. Chair Kelly Lyn Mitchell, an appointee of Gov. Walz, stated “this will be on the agenda again” and made clear that the commission will continue moving forward on this proposal. 

Minnesotans submitted what is believed to be the largest-ever number of public comments to the MSGC on the controversial sentencing proposal. More than 3,500 comments were submitted, with 95% (3,353) in opposition.