Capitol Building St Paul Minnesota
(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Senate debates and votes later today (Fri 2pm start) on a public safety budget bill that includes controversial background check and “red flag” gun measures — and Democrats with their razor-thin majority need every one of their members to vote “yes” for the bill to pass. Lead author, Saint Louis Park Democrat Ron Latz says, “I’m quite confident.
We never know for sure until the votes go up on the board.”
Opponents have been targeting their efforts at three Greater Minnesota Democrats they hope will break ranks.
But Senators Grant Hauschild from Hermantown and Judy Seeberger from Afton have reportedly said they’ll vote “yes”, while Senator Rob Kupec from Moorhead at last report was uncertain.
The bill also would allow some offenders to get out of prison early if they meet certain goals in a new rehabilitation program.
Republicans label it a “get out of jail free” card. Another controversial area: the bill would ban “no-knock” search warrants with very narrow exceptions.