The Minnesota Senate today approved a bipartisan bill 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.  

“The state has a responsibility to protect the public’s safety with respect to preventing criminal activity like riots, but it has no responsibility to bail out Minneapolis for its failed political leadership,” said Sen. Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson). “This bill respects the work and the importance of law enforcement but makes sure Minneapolis bears the responsibility for reimbursing neighboring departments who offer their support.”

The bill allows cities that provided mutual aid but haven’t been reimbursed for it yet to apply to have their Local Government Aid (LGA) adjusted to match the amount owed. The funds would be provided by lowering the LGA from the city that owes the mutual aid payment.