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State Representative Sheldon Johnson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4201
For more information contact: Charlie Vander Aarde 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
MINNESOTA COURTS REMAIN UNDERFUNDED - MISPLACED GOP PRIORITIES
(ST. PAUL) – The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a funding proposal for the state’s public safety programs and state judiciary early this morning. A Conference Committee Report with funding details was released earlier this week. State Representative Sheldon Johnson (67B-St. Paul), the DFL-Lead on the Judiciary committee released the following statement:
“The bill funding the state’s judiciary is a disservice to all Minnesotans. Continued underfunding of state courts is reaching a crisis level. This bill only perpetuates the problem of reduced access, overworked public defenders and lack of a speedy trial.
“Minnesotans deserve better than to continue this path of slowly asphyxiating an entire branch of government. Our residents expect fair access to the courts. Long delays are a challenge to due process. The judiciary bill cuts services to those who need them the most. Cuts to Civil Legal Services and the Guardian Ad Litem board are harmful to Minnesotans. Guardian ad Litems are advocates for our kids. It’s another example of misplaced Republican priorities.
“The GOP has chosen to limit access to justice for the poor. It will be harder to get a public defender. Targeting the majority of cuts on Civil Legal Services really hurts those who may need the greatest assistance from our courts."
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News Items
- 2012 SESSION UPDATE - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
- 2012 SESSION UPDATE - (Posted: 2012-04-26 00:00:00)
- 2012 SESSION UPDATE - (Posted: 2012-04-19 00:00:00)
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