ST PAUL, Minn. — On Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz announced he was directing millions in federal funds to public safety initiatives and gun violence prevention.
The remaining funds from the original $500 million in Minnesota's American Rescue Plan funding will also support children and families with resources for child care, mental health, food support, education and emergency shelters.
Law Enforcement
The plan includes $4 million for the Minnesota State Patrol and Department of Natural Resources Officers, which presented funding deficiencies to the legislature, but were not funded before the end of the 2022 Legislative Session.
Department of Corrections
Nearly $5 million will support the Department of Corrections with staffing shortages.
Gun Safety
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan are developing a statewide campaign to help prevent gun-related injuries and theft. In addition to a statewide education program helping Minnesotans learn how to safely store firearms, the Department of Public Safety will provide free cable gun locks across the state at community events, including the Minnesota State Fair.
Supporting Children and Families
The Walz administration is working to make Minnesota a better place to raise a family. That’s why they’re investing in child care, mental health, and food security for Minnesota families across the state.
Child Care Assistance
$7 million will be directed to help create stability and access to child care for about 340 families and 680 children in 2023 through the Child Care Assistance Program.
Mental Health
The administration is directing approximately $7 million to support school-based mental health resources, children with complex needs, and children experiencing mental health crises.
Food Security
To respond to immediate household food needs in the face of rising costs, over $5 million will support household food needs with funding for food shelves, food banks and meal programs.
Education
The administration believes all Minnesota students deserve a world-class education and will allocate $1.5 million to fund grants to school districts and charter schools to increase the diversity of educators.
Shelter Response
The administration is investing in shelter capacity to provide COVID-safe housing for people in Minnesota who experience homelessness. This includes $7.8 million for emergency shelters in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation
The plan includes $1.9 million for COVID-19 workers’ compensation claims from state employees eligible for the presumption extended early in the 2022 Legislative Session. Occupations covered include licensed peace officers, firefighters, paramedics or emergency medical technicians, nurses or health care providers, assistive employees in health care settings and corrections officers.
“Regardless of what happens at the state legislature, I will continue working to address public safety and ensure Minnesota is the best state to live and raise a family,” said Governor Walz. “This funding will fill critical state law enforcement funding shortages and work to prevent gun violence in communities across the state.”
Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan added in a statement, "Although our work is not done, these investments, along with funding to improve access to mental health resources, food security, and affordable child care, are going to make a big difference in a lot of Minnesotans' lives."
For a full list of funding, visit the link here.
Watch more Minnesota politics:
Watch the latest political coverage from the Land of 10,000 Lakes in our YouTube playlist: