St. Cloud Mayor has Harsh Words for State Lawmakers After Public Safety Funding Fails

(KNSI) — Among the work left unfinished at the State Capitol this session was passing a funding package to bolster public safety.

Both sides claimed that public safety was a top priority amid soaring crime rates and a mass exodus from law enforcement. Lawmakers and the governor toured the state, even stopping in St. Cloud to learn firsthand what communities needed.

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis, once a state lawmaker himself, had strong words for area representatives who failed to do anything regarding public safety spending calling it “unconscionable” that they couldn’t agree. “Every single caucus said public safety was their top priority. I can see letting some issues go, but when it comes to the top priority, it’s not just letting it go until January, becuase we know that legislative sessions don’t end until May, so that’s letting it go a year — a year — and, public safety can’t be compromised for a year.”

He says both sides need to come back to the table and pass what they agree upon, versus walking away from passing important legislation because they couldn’t come to a consensus.

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