ST. PAUL – On Thursday, January 17, State Representative Matt Grossell, R-Clearbrook, introduced HF 117, a bill to remove state funding from sanctuary cities in Minnesota.
“We have laws for a reason and all units of government, from the Federal Government down to the smallest cities, should follow the law,” said Rep. Grossell. “It is appalling and quite unbelievable to have some of the largest cities flagrantly violating the laws of the United States. If people want immigration laws changed, there is a process for that. We cannot have entire cities openly defying laws.”
The bill will strip municipalities who operate as sanctuaries for illegal immigrants of Local Government Aid. Local Government Aid (LGA) is a general purpose aid that can be used for any lawful expenditure. It is intended to be used for property tax relief. For all Minnesota cities, the state budgeted $534,398,012 for 2018 and $534,398,012 for 2019 for LGA.
Rep. Grossell continued, “The state is spending significant sums to assist local cities. We need to make sure the taxpayer dollars are being used for lawful purposes and to help the citizens and people in Minnesota legally.”
A Senate version, SF 80 was also introduced by Senator Paul Utke, R- Park Rapids, and referred to Taxes.
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