On Monday evening Governor Walz via his spokesperson, Mr. Tschann, issued a statement accusing Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and Senate Republicans of voting to defund the police. This was after Senate Republicans 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.   

Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) issued the following response:

“Governor Walz’s accusation is hogwash, and the deception in his statement is despicable. In the face of his lies, Senate Republicans passed legislation that reinforces the importance of law enforcement and ensures that departments can fulfill their duty to serve and protect while knowing their support will be reimbursed.”

“Frankly, the Governor should reflect on his own party’s actions, or more importantly, the inaction of Democrats in the House. As Walz threw his accusations at us for defunding police, his own cronies failed to pass their own police funding in the House. This was not because of obstruction of House Republicans but rather the product of House Democrats who thought that even this sum offered too much support for Minnesotan police.”

“As we head into the Chauvin trial, there is no question that Senate Republicans will be ready to stand up for Minnesota’s law enforcement should there be any further civil unrest. Instead, Minnesotans should be asking Walz and his team if they are willing to do the same.”