Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. John Heinrich (R)

Back to profile

RELEASE: HEINRICH BACKS ANOKA COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT

Friday, May 6, 2022

ST. PAUL, MN — On Wednesday, Rep. John Heinrich, R-Anoka, supported an amendment offered to the House Tax Omnibus bill that would require Minneapolis to pay Anoka County for more than $400,000 in unpaid bills related to the law enforcement response to the civil unrest in Minneapolis in the summer of 2020. The amendment was defeated by House Democrats. 

"I'm proud to have the backs of our Anoka County law enforcement — they answered the call and provided a critical response to the civil unrest in Minneapolis and it's unacceptable that they haven't been paid back yet," Heinrich said. 

State law requires that requesting municipalities reimburse law enforcement agencies for law enforcement support provided in emergency situations. Minneapolis has reimbursed all other agencies who responded to the civil unrest in 2020, but has yet to pay a $400,000+ invoice sent to Minneapolis in January 2021. Heinrich said he has been disappointed by recent votes by House DFLers that he said run counter to the priorities of Anoka County Law Enforcement. 

"I've been meeting regularly with our local police chiefs and Sheriff Stuart, and appreciate their feedback and guidance on the work we're doing at the legislature. I’m disappointed that nearly all of my DFL colleagues, even our neighbors in Anoka County, refused to support paying back Anoka County for the expenses they incurred during the riots and that every single Anoka County Democrat ignored the voices of our law enforcement who opposed the Public Safety Bill last week," Heinrich added. "I will always have the backs of Anoka County law enforcement."

The House DFL Public Safety Omnibus bill passed last week despite opposition from all major law enforcement organizations including the Chiefs, Sheriffs, and Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA). 

 

###