Tag: Public Safety and Judiciary Budget

House approves compromise Public Safety and Judiciary Budget

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, the Minnesota House passed the compromise Public Safety and Judiciary budget bill and amended it to include sign and release warrants. In addition to funding the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Human Rights, and the judicial branch, the bill includes several criminal justice and police accountability reforms which House DFLers have been advocating for all session. However, Senate Republicans rejected many other meaningful changes Minnesotans have been calling for to ensure communities can receive justice.

“Our budget agreement advances several important solutions to help Minnesotans experience public safety in their communities, but it’s incredibly disappointing Senate Republicans refused to accept some of the most meaningful reforms we put forward, including those with bipartisan support,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), chair of the House Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform Committee. “One conviction and one prison sentence of one police officer doesn’t heal the trauma with which our communities continue to live. It’s not acceptable for a system that has failed too many Minnesotans to allow peace officers – with the solemn duty to protect and serve – to largely continue operating with impunity and a reckless disregard for human rights. As a result of the shortcomings within the budget compromise, we commit to continue this important work until we ensure all of those who betray the public’s trust can be held accountable, and Black, Indigenous, and Minnesotans of color can be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. We welcome the Governor’s executive actions, which are necessary due to the Republican Senate’s failure to respond to Minnesotans’ calls for greater accountability for law enforcement.”

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Minnesota House Approves cCompromise Public Safety and Judiciary Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House approved the final version of the Omnibus Public Safety and Judiciary Finance bill early Saturday morning. The budget includes $125 million in new investments in the courts, correctional facilities, criminal apprehension, human rights protections and many other areas to keep Minnesotans safe and ensure they have access to justice.

Unfortunately, Senate Republicans blocked a pair of initiatives to curb senseless gun violence this session. Despite the support of as many as 90 percent of Minnesotans, Republicans refused to establish “red flag” laws and expand criminal background checks for firearm purchases. House DFLers remain committed to preventing gun violence and keeping Minnesotans safe at school, at work, while worshiping, or anywhere else in their communities.

“This session, through a community-centered lens, we’ve heard from many Minnesotans about the impact of our criminal justice system, and have highlighted numerous ways in which we can reimagine public safety in our state. I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface in these efforts,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani, Chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division. “There’s still a great deal of work to do, especially regarding senseless gun violence, the need to decriminalize poverty and fixing the flaws in our probation system. The work on these and other issues is not over as we build a safer, more just state.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves cCompromise Public Safety and Judiciary Budget”

Minnesota House expected to pass new Public Safety and Judiciary budget

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House was expected to pass a new two-year Public Safety and Judiciary budget last night.  The bill includes funding for corrections, the courts, criminal apprehension, human rights protections and many other areas, along with investments in a safer, more just Minnesota.

“We’ve worked in a thoughtful, deliberate way to reimagine how we can better approach public safety in this state to improve outcomes for everybody with a more just criminal justice system,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division Chair. “This session, through a community-centered lens, our work represents the first step toward a public safety approach centered in not just accountability and punishment, but prevention and pathways to redemption.”

“House DFLers are working to ensure fairness and deliver justice, and after bringing regular Minnesotans affected by our system to the table to hear their concerns and ideas, we’ve produced a budget accomplishes this,” said Rep. John Lesch (DFL – Saint Paul), the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Division Chair. “With investments in our courts, steps to decriminalize poverty, and other innovative strategies, our work will ultimately lead to more Minnesotans being able to seek and receive justice.” Continue reading “Minnesota House expected to pass new Public Safety and Judiciary budget”