Governor Walz is proposing to direct millions of federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan toward public safety and gun violence prevention in Minnesota.
The money would provide additional funding for police, the state corrections department, and gun safety.
“Regardless of what happens at the state legislature, I will continue working to address public safety and ensure Minnesota is the best state to live and raise a family,” said Walz, in a statement. “This funding will fill critical state law enforcement funding shortages and work prevent gun violence in communities across the state.”
Lawmakers adjourned the 2022 legislative session with acting on issues related to public safety, infrastructure, and education despite the state having a budget surplus of nearly $10 billion.
Minnesota received half-a-billion dollars in funding from the American Rescue Plan, signed by President Biden last year to speed up recovery from economic and health affects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plan by Walz also includes allotting money for child care assistance, food security, and workers' comp.
Here are details of the governor's proposal
Law Enforcement
The plan includes $4 million for the Minnesota State Patrol and Department of Natural Resources Officers, which presented funding deficiencies to the legislature but were not funded before the end of the 2022 Legislative Session.
Department of Corrections
Nearly $5 million will support the Department of Corrections with staffing shortages.
Gun Safety
Developing a statewide campaign to help prevent gun-related injuries and theft. In addition to a statewide education program helping Minnesotans learn how to safely store firearms, the Department of Public Safety will provide free cable gun locks across the state at community events, including the Minnesota State Fair.
Child Care Assistance
$7 million will be directed to help create stability and access to child care for about 340 families and 680 children in 2023 through the Child Care Assistance Program.
Mental Health
Directing approximately $7 million to support school-based mental health resources, children with complex needs, and children experiencing mental health crises.
Food Security
To respond to immediate household food needs in the face of rising costs, over $5 million will support household food needs with funding for food shelves, food banks, and meal programs.
Education
Allocate $1.5 million to fund grants to school districts and charter schools to increase the diversity of educators.
Shelter Response
Investing in shelter capacity to provide COVID-safe housing for people in Minnesota who experience homelessness. This includes $7.8 million for emergency shelters in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation
The plan includes $1.9 million for COVID-19 workers’ compensation claims from state employees eligible for the presumption extended early in the 2022 Legislative Session. Occupations covered include licensed peace officers, firefighters, paramedics or emergency medical technicians, nurses or health care providers, assistive employees in health care settings and corrections officers.
The money would provide additional funding for police, the state corrections department, and gun safety.
“Regardless of what happens at the state legislature, I will continue working to address public safety and ensure Minnesota is the best state to live and raise a family,” said Walz, in a statement. “This funding will fill critical state law enforcement funding shortages and work prevent gun violence in communities across the state.”
Lawmakers adjourned the legislative session with acting on issues related to public safety, infrastructure, and education despite the state having a budget surplus of nearly ten-billion dollars.
Minnesota received half-a-billion dollars in American Rescue Plan funding.
The plan by Walz also includes allotting money for child care assistance, food security, and workers' comp.
Investing in Public Safety, Gun Violence Prevention
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan continue working to address crime and gun violence. Today’s announcement includes the following public safety measures.
Here are details of the governor's proposal
Law Enforcement
The plan includes $4 million for the Minnesota State Patrol and Department of Natural Resources Officers, which presented funding deficiencies to the legislature but were not funded before the end of the 2022 Legislative Session.
Department of Corrections
Nearly $5 million will support the Department of Corrections with staffing shortages.
Gun Safety
Developing a statewide campaign to help prevent gun-related injuries and theft. In addition to a statewide education program helping Minnesotans learn how to safely store firearms, the Department of Public Safety will provide free cable gun locks across the state at community events, including the Minnesota State Fair.
Child Care Assistance
$7 million will be directed to help create stability and access to child care for about 340 families and 680 children in 2023 through the Child Care Assistance Program.
Mental Health
Directing approximately $7 million to support school-based mental health resources, children with complex needs, and children experiencing mental health crises.
Food Security
To respond to immediate household food needs in the face of rising costs, over $5 million will support household food needs with funding for food shelves, food banks, and meal programs.
Education
Allocate $1.5 million to fund grants to school districts and charter schools to increase the diversity of educators.
Shelter Response
Investing in shelter capacity to provide COVID-safe housing for people in Minnesota who experience homelessness. This includes $7.8 million for emergency shelters in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation
The plan includes $1.9 million for COVID-19 workers’ compensation claims from state employees eligible for the presumption extended early in the 2022 Legislative Session. Occupations covered include licensed peace officers, firefighters, paramedics or emergency medical technicians, nurses or health care providers, assistive employees in health care settings and corrections officers.
