Walz using federal funds for public safety, child care assistance measures

Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz announced his intent to use Minnesota’s funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) for public safety measures and resources to support children.

The plan includes:

• $4 million for the Minnesota State Patrol and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officers,
• $5 million for the Minnesota Department of Corrections,
• $7 million for the Child Care Assistance Program,
• $7 million for school-based mental health resources,
• $5 million for food shelves, food banks and meal programs,
• $1.5 million for school grants promoting diverse educators,
• $7.8 million for emergency shelters in Hennepin and Ramsey counties,
• $1.9 million for COVID-19 workers’ compensation claims.

Walz’s office says a statewide gun safety plan is also in the works to promote the safe storage of guns and offer free cable gun locks at community events.

The governor’s plan uses the remaining federal funds from the state’s original $500 million ARP funding for areas he called important, particularly with the Legislature failing to reach agreements in many of the areas.

“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,” Walz said in a statement. “This funding will fill critical state law enforcement funding shortages and work prevent gun violence in communities across the state.”