East Twin Cities

In the aftermath of the recent tragedy at Annunciation, Minnesota communities continue to mourn and seek answers. State leaders are considering legislative action to address concerns about violence, school safety, and mental health.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has announced his intention to call a special session on October 6. However, some lawmakers have expressed dissatisfaction with the process and the proposals put forward. “He alone holds the authority to call a special session, and earlier this week he announced his intent to do so on October 6. But instead of working with legislative leaders to build a framework that could earn bipartisan support, the Governor has been reactive and confrontational. His proposal asks legislators to commit to hyper-partisan policies that have never been vetted in committee and do not even have the full support of his own caucus. His approach is not serious governing, but instead, political theater,” one statement reads.

Republican legislators state they offered a plan focusing on student protection, care for individuals in crisis, and accountability for violent offenders when talk of a special session first arose in late August. “Our policies would actually help protect our kids, provide care for those in crisis, and hold violent criminals accountable,” they said.

Their proposed measures include security grants for all schools—public or non-public—and flexibility for districts regarding resource allocation for safety improvements. They also suggest ensuring School Resource Officers are present where needed. With Minnesota facing a $6 billion deficit, these lawmakers propose reallocating funds by addressing fraud within state spending as one way to finance these programs.

Expanding mental health treatment beds is another priority identified by Republican leaders who believe prevention must be part of any comprehensive solution: “Minnesota needs more mental health treatment beds so that people in crisis can access help when they need it most.”

The plan also calls for stricter penalties against repeat gun offenders and those involved in straw purchasing—providing firearms illegally—as measures intended to deter future violence: “That includes mandatory minimum prison sentences for repeat gun offenders and serious penalties for straw purchasers who put weapons in the wrong hands.”

Despite ongoing discussions about convening a special session on October 6 as suggested by Governor Walz, there appears little consensus among legislators on moving forward with current proposals: “Even if the Governor follows through with his October 6 date, the Legislature is still no closer to agreement... The general feeling here at the Capitol is that special session will likely not be called.”

The situation remains fluid as affected communities await further developments from their representatives across House District 41A—including Lakeland, Afton, Baytown, Cottage Grove, Denmark Township, Grant Township, Lake Elmo, Lakeland Shores, Lake Saint Croix Beach, Saint Mary's Point, and West Lakeland Township.