Rep. Tony Cornish (R-Vernon Center)
The stalemate continues at the Minnesota Legislature over police officers’ use of body cameras, but a key player is apparently optimistic after another meeting late last week. Representative Tony Cornish from Vernon Center says they’re making progress: “Quite a lot from where we first were,” he says. “It’s not a guarantee that we will have a bill, but I feel pretty good about it now.” But major sticking-points remain: Lawmakers are debating whether body-cam videos will be accessible to the public. Activists, angered by Jamar Clark shooting, say it’s necessary to hold police accountable for their actions. And some lawmakers warn that allowing officers to turn on body cameras in people’s homes violates privacy and could endanger victims.