On Monday, the Minnesota Senate passed emergency funding for law enforcement. This legislation came forward in response to an emergency funding request made by Governor Walz last week. Included language 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. 

“Last year we passed funding to help keep Minnesotans safe, and the House declined to approve that funding, so the issue is again before us,” said Senator Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point). “Minnesotans across the state deserve to feel protected. Law enforcement organizations seek to keep our communities safe during times of civil unrest, and they deserve our support now more than ever.” 

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.   

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

Also presented today was a resolution that commends the National Guard for their actions to local communities during the civil unrest, and also calls upon the unions to act decisively and fire members of their leadership that forced the Guard Members to leave without notice and allowed the Guard Members to be harassed as they exited the premise.  

“I was absolutely appalled to see the way our guardsmen were treated last week,” continued Sen. Ruud. “Members of the Minnesota National Guard were invited into the Labor Center, left when asked, and were yelled at and disrespected as they left. These men and women put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of our communities and they were treated terribly. These union leaders must be held responsible for their behavior.” 

This Resolution follows actions that occurred last Wednesday, when more than 50 members of the Minnesota National Guard were kicked out of the St. Paul Labor Center, despite having permission to be stationed there. Guard Members peacefully left the building as union members taunted and jeered at them.

“Members of our law enforcement organizations and National Guard are Minnesotans—they have put their lives on hold to serve our communities in this time of civil unrest. They deserve our respect and continued support,” finished Sen. Ruud.