Rosen: Senate Republicans Continue Commitment to Protect Minnesotans and Fund Law Enforcement

On Monday, the Minnesota Senate passed emergency funding for law enforcement, as requested by Governor Walz. The bill, S.F. 2441, secures $2.75 million for the law enforcement response to civil unrest through the Interstate Emergency Management Assistance Compact and $6.3 million for Minnesota State Trooper expenses related to the unrest and Chauvin trial. 

“Government’s top responsibility is to keep the public safe,” said Senator Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont). “Local police and state patrol officers have done an admirable job preventing the situation in Brooklyn Center from devolving into complete lawlessness like Minneapolis experienced last summer, but it is still a city on edge. This emergency funding makes sure law enforcement has the resources and manpower necessary to continue protecting the public during an exceedingly challenging situation.”

Earlier this session, the Senate passed legislation funding for the Law Enforcement Operations Account (LEO), committing to keep Minnesotans safe by securing resources for emergency law enforcement operations tied to extraordinary and unplanned emergency events. 

House Democrats failed to pass the bill or Governor Walz’s version of the legislation, known as SAFE. Additionally, House Democrats have not introduced any of their own provisions regarding emergency police funding, jeopardizing the safety of residents of the Twin Cities and hindering law enforcement’s ability to respond to emergency events.   

Monday’s legislation is the byproduct of a public safety conversation between legislative leaders and the Governor, the weekend. Legislative leaders all agreed with the importance of getting the bill done at the time of the request.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration. 

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