Minnesota Senate passes 'tough on crime' public safety package

The Minnesota Senate passed a $200 million slate of "tough on crime" measures Monday, amid a nationwide rise in violent crime that has stoked community anxiety throughout Minnesota and exacerbated partisan divisions at the Capitol.

After more than four hours of debate, the Senate voted 48-19 to approve Republicans' public safety package. It focuses on recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers, increasing criminal penalties, making changes to sentencing guidelines and spotlighting prosecutors and judges who depart from those guidelines.

"We want to stop that revolving door of criminal activity," Senate public safety chair Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, said at a morning news conference.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-senate-passes-tough-on-crime-public-safety-package/600167896/