SC Minnesota News

Sen. Julie Rosen (R- MN) has released a statement addressing Gov. Tim Walz's announcement that the state intends to drain nearly all of the disaster relief fund, according to a Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus press release.

Walz said the funds will be used for the fire damage during the riots and civil unrest after George Floyd’s death.

“Using statewide taxpayer dollars for a local event that was completely preventable is an unconscionable ask of Minnesotans," Rosen said in a press release. "It was up to Gov. Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey to protect the City of Minneapolis and they failed. The disaster relief fund is for unexpected and uncontrollable circumstances, not riots and civil unrest. Walz is asking every Minnesotan who watched in horror as the city burned for three nights to pony up more of their tax dollars to bail out Minneapolis. With a $4.7 billion deficit, it does not make fiscal sense to spend down our disaster relief fund – a fund we need to be readily available in case of a real disaster – when we will not be able to meet our day-to-day expenses. This move will affect the November Forecast, and the governor should explain to Minnesotans across the state why he needs them to pay more in taxes over his mismanagement of public safety.”