$880 million budget will reduce crime and includes proven gun violence prevention measures
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the Senate passed a historic Judiciary and Public Safety Conference Committee Report that includes $880 million in new funding for rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, crime prevention, and broadly supported and proven gun violence prevention measures. The bill passed in a 34-33 vote.
“This is a well-balanced approach to public safety that makes investments in effective and proven strategies to making our communities safer while ensuring every Minnesotan has a fair shot at justice,” said Senator Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park), Chair of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. “We have created a budget that reflects the priorities and needs of our communities, and I look forward to moving this important legislation forward today.”
The Conference Committee Report includes $880 million in new spending with $650 million for Public Safety and $230 million for the Judiciary. The budget includes pay increases for judges and judicial staff, increased funding for civil legal services and public defenders, increased funding for crime prevention programs in the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, funding for the Office of Justice Programs including significant investments in youth intervention programs, and funding for the Department of Corrections.
The report also includes three gun violence prevention measures: extreme risk protection orders, expanded background checks, and increased penalties for converted machine guns. These measures are broadly supported by Minnesotans, are proven to reduce gun violence, and respect the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
“Each of us is working towards the same goal of reducing the epidemic of gun deaths in Minnesota,” said Senator Latz. “These bills reflect the work of legislators, health experts, law enforcement, and community members to find sensible solutions that will help us reach that goal. These changes are long overdue, but I’m proud to see them passed today.”
In a recently conducted poll, 74% of Minnesotans approved of background checks on all private gun sales, with 63% support for extreme risk protection orders.
The Conference Committee Report now moves to the House of Representatives where it is expected to pass. Following their passage, the legislation moves to Governor Walz who has signaled he will sign the bill into law.
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