On Monday, Senate Republicans introduced legislation that would prohibit state disaster assistance funds from being used to help local governments recover from civil unrest. The legislation was sparked by last summer’s Twin Cities riots and Governor Walz’s announcement that he planned to nearly drain the state’s disaster relief fund to rebuild the cities.

Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) released the following statement today regarding that bill:
 

“Governor Walz continues to circumvent the legislature at every opportunity he can. First, with COVID, then with the California Emission Standards, and now with our disaster recovery account. The Governor’s actions are divisive. In an attempt to rebuild the Twin Cities, Governor Walz’s plan leaves Greater Minnesota on the tab for the unrest he failed to stop in Minneapolis and St. Paul this summer. Worse yet, his shortsightedness leaves our communities less prepared to deal with a natural disaster.”

The disaster contingency account is an emergency fund intended to help communities clean up after unforeseen disasters like tornadoes, flooding, or severe thunderstorms. A comprehensive report on the riots found the worst of the damage could have easily been avoided had city and state leaders acted faster and more decisively.