State lawmakers are on Passover/Easter break and when they return to the Capitol one week from tomorrow (Tues), will continue trying to bridge big gaps on major issues, including Minnesota’s crime wave. D-F-L Representative Carlos Mariani from Saint Paul says Democrats and Republicans agree on two things: doing something right away, and beefing-up traditional law enforcement. “There is agreement on the need for that,” Mariani says. “There are different ways to do it. After that, then it becomes a couple of areas where we are incredibly apart.”
Senate Republicans take a get-tough-on-crime stance, while House Democrats stress prevention and community policing. Mariani says the two sides agree there should be more resources for probation and community supervision — but not on *how* to use those dollars.
Mariani says about Democrats’ push for police reform and accountability, “It’s unfortunately made a much more difficult issue than it should be. And so, I think it’s gonna be a tough conversation.”
Senate Republicans have been very resistant to any changes in that area.