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

McNeese Sports

Title hopes go up in Flames

Local News

DA: School threats ‘echoes far beyond the walls’ of the classroom

Jim Gazzolo

Gazzolo column: More cleaning needed

Local News

Special counsel moves to drop Trump election, documents cases citing ‘categorical’ DOJ policy

McNeese Sports

Parker earns SLC honor

McNeese Sports

BREAKING: McNeese fires Goff

Local News

‘Busiest Thanksgiving ever’: How the TSA plans to handle record air travel

Football

Hobbs column: LSU ignores to doom and gloom to break streak

Local News

Wet Thanksgiving could be in the cards for SW La.

Crime

Arrest made in fatal hit-and-run

Local News

Consumers expected to increase food spending this Thanksgiving

McNeese Sports

Parker shoots McNeese to title game

life

Catholic Charities, Chevron team up to distribute Thanksgiving turkeys

Local News

Sheriff announces methods of payment for 2024 property taxes

Local News

Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of ‘Love Connection’ and ‘Scrabble,’ dies at 83

Jim Gazzolo

Gazzolo column: Embarrassing night for all

life

Cruising down the Nile: River serves as a gateway to Egypt’s ancient wonders

Local News

Local woman on mission to find owner of lost Marine ring

McNeese Sports

Cowboy season ends in chaos

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls go cold, fall to Utah Tech

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column: Legislators approve tax reform

Local News

Public’s thoughts sought on proposed 2025 parish budget of $350.7 million

Crime

Lake Charles Police Department plans to add robot dog to force 

McNeese Sports

Garcia, bench find paradise