Democrats say the bill doesn’t do enough to address police accountability.
The Republican-controlled Senate has passed a public safety omnibus bill without police reform measures.
The public safety and judiciary funding bill that cleared the Senate on a 44-23 vote Thursday includes money for the court system, prisons and makes changes to sexual assault laws, including closing the “voluntary intoxication” loophole that was highlighted by a recent state Supreme Court decision.
“Senate Republicans are committed to keeping Minnesotans safe and fully funding our public safety institutions,” Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, said in a statement. “This bill provides justice to victims and protects Minnesotans. I understand that Minnesota is in the spotlight. Last summer we passed several major reforms to police accountability, and we will look at additional reforms this session. Continue reading.