Minnesota House of Representatives

Accessibility menu

Menu

Minnesota House of Representatives

State Representative Sheldon Johnson

549 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4201

For more information contact: Charlie Vander Aarde 651-297-8406

Posted: 2011-03-31 00:00:00
Share on: 



Press/News Releases

MINNESOTA’S JUDICIARY REMAINS STRAINED UNDER GOP BUDGET -- PUBLIC SAFETY CUTS ILL-ADVISED

(ST. PAUL) – The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a public safety bill today that cuts funds to public safety programs across the state and continues the underfunding of Minnesota’s courts. Representative Sheldon Johnson (DFL-St. Paul), the Democrat lead on the Judiciary Policy and Finance committee responded to the bill.

“This public safety bill does not increase public safety," said Johnson. “It is the fourth bill this week that demonstrates the Republican’s misplaced priorities. This bill cuts prison time, cuts police, fire and 911, and raises property taxes.”

The bill reduces funding for services for battered women, victims of child sex abuse, sexual assault providers, community crime prevention and gang and drug task forces. “Our communities can not afford cuts to the very programs which make them safer,” argued Johnson. “Community crime prevention and drug task forces have been effective tools to fight crime. This public safety bill handcuffs law enforcement.

“Cutting public safety is like chaining your guard dog in the back yard with a five foot chain,” said Johnson. “ Why bother?”

The bill continues to underfund the courts, making cuts to Civil Legal Services and Guardian Ad Litem. It does not give the Board of Public Defenders the 5% increase they need, also requested by the Governor, and decreases access to court services by raising the qualification bar. “This bill continues to reduce access to our courts. Minnesotans will continue to have long delays and high fees.”

-30-

News Items

Audio & Video

Galleries

No image galleries found

Minnesota House of Representatives  ·   100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, MN   55155   ·   Webmaster@house.mn