Saint Cloud, MN, USA / KNSI
May 12, 2021 | 6:04 PM
Rev. Dr. Alfred Babington-Johnson speaks at a press conference urging legislative law enforcement reform with Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and more on May 12, 2021.
(KNSI) – Several state legislators and faith leaders joined Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan on Wednesday to call for legislative action on law enforcement reform.
“Yes, we’re asking to move legislation in the legislature, but I want to be very clear: that alone will not fix all of this, but it will start moving things forward,” Walz said. “It will possess the potential to protect some of our most vulnerable populations, and it will start to put on a path where real systemic change is possible.”
Police reform remains sticking point in Legislature s final days Walz encouraged by pace but says sides are still a long ways apart. May 12, 2021 5:30pm
Video (04:33) : Gov. Tim Walz held a news conference with community leaders and DFL lawmakers to urge action on a sweeping set of new police reform proposals in the final days of the legislative session in St. Paul. Text size Copy shortlink:
Police reform which emerged as one of the most pressing debates this legislative session still looms over the race to strike an accord on a new two-year budget by next week.
Democratic leaders, including Gov. Tim Walz, on Wednesday sought to apply further pressure on a bid to adopt a sweeping package of 12 new policing proposals before the May 17 adjournment date. The Senate GOP s leadership has meanwhile struck a more skeptical tone.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz enlists community, faith leaders to again push for policing law changes
Two dozen community and faith leaders joined the governor to publicly support a push for police accountability measures at the Capitol. 5:23 pm, May 12, 2021 ×
The Rev. Alfred Babington-Johnson, at center, on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, spoke to reporters on the Minnesota Capitol complex about efforts to re-write policing laws. (Dana Ferguson / Forum News Service)
ST. PAUL Gov. Tim Walz and Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday, May 12, stood alongside two dozen community and faith leaders and business owners to renew their calls for policing law changes at the state Capitol.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) â As the Minnesota Legislature enters the last full week of its 2021 session, lawmakers face long hours of tough negotiations as they seek to agree on a balanced budget by next Monday s mandatory adjournment date. And given the Legislature s partisan split, the final package is expected to make only incremental changes instead of sweeping overhauls.
There are deep disagreements over what should be in the major spending bills that will form the core of the next two-year budget. The task of resolving them is harder this year than in 2019 because lawmakers are still meeting remotely due to the pandemic, with fewer chances for one-on-one deal-making.