WILLMAR Before people build a new home in the country, they should know a few things about farming like the noise, odors and slow seasonal traffic that's part of doing business in the country.
Routine public access to the Minnesota Capitol and legislative proceedings will remain under restrictions into next year as officials weigh when to dismantle a fence and to conduct more business in person.
Both realities were disclosed Tuesday during a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Capitol Security, which is chaired by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and includes members of all three branches of state government.
The panel was told the chain-link fence ringing the Capitol building since the tension following the killing of George Floyd in late May will stay in place indefinitely.
State officials say dozens of incidents of graffiti and vandalism have occurred since summer and they believe the fence has prevented even more damage to the 115-year-old building. Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said his agency has tracked credible threats and copycat incidents that have hit capitols in other states.
State officials urge keeping fence around State Capitol well into 2021 Advisory panel is told that unrest still poses a threat to safety and property.
By Stephen Montemayor Star Tribune December 15, 2020 9:49pm Text size Copy shortlink:
Public safety leaders want to see a drop in protests and vandalism at public buildings in Minnesota and nationwide before taking down the fence that has surrounded the State Capitol since May.
First meant as a temporary precaution against a threat to the building amid rioting after George Floyd s killing, the fence has remained at the urging of state officials fearful that continued volatile protests will spill over onto the Capitol steps. It is costing the sta