A new public safety plan unveiled by House Republicans aims to crack down on criminal behavior across Minnesota.
The "Make Minnesota Safe" plan would enforce ten-year minimum sentences for sex traffickers, and put harsher penalties on things like damage to public pipelines and waterlines. The plan includes 13 new strategies to increase the efficiency of law enforcement in Minnesota.
House Safety Committee Chair Paul Novotny (R- Elk River) says 'soft on crime' policies that have been implemented over the last two years have made communities less safe.
"We are here to say enough is enough," Novotny says. "Our plan is built on three key pillars helping law enforcement keep our communities safe, keeping violent and dangerous offenders off the streets, and holding the criminal justice system accountable."
Some of the changes include increased penalties for assaulting and fleeing from an officer. The bill also focuses on creating transparency between law enforcement, prosecutors, and the public.
"The safety of our community should not be a partisan issue," says Novotny. "It's a fundamental obligation. We invite our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to show up for work, join us in supporting these common sense proposals that will make Minnesota a safer place to live, work, and raise a family."
The bill also looks to provide better access for the public to prosecutors dismissal decisions.
Novotny also refers to the ongoing boycott of the House session by Democrats as they continue to work behind the scenes on a power sharing deal. So far, they are at an impasse and the Republicans hold a one-seat advantage until a special election happens in March that will likely push the House back into a 67-67 tie.
While House Leaders Lisa Demuth (R- Cold Spring) and Melissa Hortman (DFL- Brooklyn Park) continue to talk, KSTP-TV political reporter Tom Hauser told WCCO's Chad Hartman he doesn't see an end in sight to this standoff.
"I don't know that this thing is going to be solved this week, and if it's not, you get into next week, you're going to be talking about the beginning of week four of the legislative session with nothing happening," Hauser explains. "Everybody's getting paid including the Democrats who are not even stepping foot in the Capitol."
"We are here to say enough is enough," said House Safety Committee Chair Paul Novotny (R- Elk River)
