Minnesota lawmakers reach deal on policing measures

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s top Democratic and Republican lawmakers reached agreement on the highlights of a public safety bill that includes police accountability measures, a day after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison for the death of George Floyd.

While some details had yet to be finalized, leaders from both parties said the compromise reached late Saturday settles the major issues after months of negotiations. It has been the most contentious piece of budget negotiations among a divided Legislature that’s up against a Wednesday deadline to avoid a government shutdown.

The Democratic-controlled state House included several policing provisions in its overall public safety budget bill this session in the hopes of building on a package the Legislature approved last summer in the aftermath Floyd’s death under Chauvin’s knee.

The 223-page bill draft includes provisions regulating the use of no-knock warrants, a police misconduct database to create an early warning system to keep bad officers off the streets, and the creation of an office of missing and murdered indigenous relatives as well as a task force for missing and murdered Black women.

“It doesn’t include some of the important police reform and accountability measures pushed by the House, but it is a step forward in delivering true public safety and justice for all Minnesotans despite divided government,” Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman said.

Democrats had advocated for limits on pretextual traffic stops, where police pull over a driver for a minor violation, such as expired tabs or something hanging from the rearview mirror. That push intensified after police in suburban Brooklyn Center shot and killed Daunte Wright for driving with expired tabs. That proposal is not part of the agreement.

Republicans who control the Senate resisted many of the Democrats’ proposals, calling some “anti-police.” The GOP negotiations at times focused those pushing to abolish the police, as well as violent protests following Floyd’s killing. The agreement includes $2 million for violent crime enforcement teams, a Republican-backed provision.

Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said he’s “confident we will finish the bill and keep Minnesotans safe.”

SportsPlus

Jim Gazzolo

Gazzolo column: State rivalries matter

McNeese Sports

Shooting struggles hampering Cowboys

life

Program provides foster families opportunity to visit state parks for free

Local News

WEATHER WATCH: Three-day stretch of severe weather possible

Crime

12/26: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Louisiana pension fund posts $1.5B growth, 14% return in fiscal year

life

PHOTO GALLERY: A Panorama Music House Christmas

Crime

Louisiana residents list crime as one of state’s most pressing issues

life

Party like it’s 2025: Hot spots to ring in the new year

life

‘Strange’ crew: Local talent brings sci-fi atmosphere to movie

Local News

Fate of Trump’s Cabinet picks unclear

Local News

Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row

Local News

Local doctor says CVS policy punishes rural residents

Local News

In a calendar rarity, Hanukkah starts this year on Christmas Day

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Prophets told us He was coming

life

Guest column: ‘My King and my God’ — the true meaning of Christmas

McNeese Sports

Barbie returning to McNeese

life

Port Wonder set to open in February

Crime

12/24: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Football

Scooter Hobbs column: What to get for the athlete who has everything?

Local News

Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights

Local News

Louisiana often holds inmates past their release date, DOJ lawsuit claims

Crime

12/23: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Where’s Santa now? NORAD’s Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kids