Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria)
A state Senate panel is reviewing Governor Mark Dayton’s bonding proposal and Alexandria Republican Bill Ingebrigtsen wants to know what’s happening after talk about the state building a new prison. State Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans (FRANZ) says the governor’s proposal would upgrade existing facilities instead of building a new prison. Franz adds the state needs to think strategically about “how fast we’re sending folks to prison these days.” A state commission approved shorter prison sentences for some non-violent drug offenses, but the legislature might re-open the issue. There’s also a push for the state to expand its Rush City prison, or to lease or buy the now-vacant private prison in Appleton.