Today, the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission pushed a vote to remove a factor used to determine appropriate sentences in state courts for repeat criminals despite solid opposition from the public, law enforcement, and legislators.

Senator Paul Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake) issued the following statement in response:

“I am deeply disappointed in the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission and their lack of action today. Their decision to delay only kicks the can down the road and signals they will inevitably vote yes and continue with their ‘criminal-first’ approach while Minnesota grapples with record crime. Public safety is an issue Minnesotans care deeply about. They want to be safe in their communities and when they travel across the state.”

“A yes vote in the future will directly undermine the intent of our laws. In the last legislative session, lawmakers supported efforts to increase penalties. Now, we have this unelected commission signaling that they know more than the public, law enforcement, or the legislature. It’s not right, not good for the safety of Minnesotans, and addressing it will be at the top of my priorities list in the upcoming session.”

On Friday, Senator Gazelka plans to address Minnesota’s current failure in combating crime and preserving public safety in further detail. He will be holding a press conference on the second floor of the Capitol in the Loggia at 10 AM with stakeholders to announce legislative efforts to combat crime and a failure by prosecutors to hold criminals accountable.