On Friday the Senate approved a new plan for public safety spending. We've been calling the Democrats’ public safety agenda the 'Get out of jail free' plan because it will let thousands of criminals out of jail before they've served their full sentences and is generally weak on crime. But the final version of this bill that the House and Senate agreed on is even worse than the first version the Senate Democrats came up with.
The conference committee that settled on the final version didn't have any Republicans on it. They cut money for three really important programs: programs to help the mental health of our first responders, more staff for school safety centers, and money for police body cameras. They also dropped a provision that clearly states pedophilia is not a protected class, even though that provision passed the House unanimously.
That means that, just like laws about race and gender, pedophiles can't be discriminated against.
The final version of the law also adds two new controversial rules about guns: red flag laws and background checks. I want to be clear: I do not, and will not, support any laws that take away rights from people who use guns the right way.
Other notable provisions in the bill:
* Changes to landlord-tenant law and rental eviction record expungement, including limitations against crime-free lease terms. This makes it harder for landlords to provide a safe place to live.
* Legislative approval of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission’s five-year felony probation cap, plus retroactive application to any sentence already in place in Minnesota
* It puts the crime of carjacking into statute, but does not add any new penalty. A useless change.
* It reduces sentences for juveniles charged as adults
* It reduces prison time from 2/3 of an offender’s sentence to only half, which would make 92% of our prison population eligible for early release
* Significant new spending for nonprofit services, the vast majority of it has very little accountability
The Democrats’ public safety budget will let thousands of people out of jail before they should be let out, and does nothing to strengthen law enforcement or keep communities safe. The Republican ‘Safe and Sound’ plan would have been a much better approach.
Congratulations to Clow Stamping in Merrifield!
A great local business, Clow Stamping Company, recently was awarded two major grants from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
It is always great when local, family-owned businesses are recognized for their track record of success and their critical place in our regional economy. Clow Stamping has always been focused on doing great work, offering good value, and taking care of their customers; they're a really important part of our community. I am excited to see what they can do with these two grants, and look forward to even more success in the future.
Read more here: https://www.mnsenaterepublicans.com/senator-eichorn-congratulates-clow-stamping-company-in-merrifield-on-business-expansion-grant-awards/
