Minnesota DFL Senate leaders highlight priorities for upcoming legislative session

DFL leaders in Minnesota’s Senate gathered Monday to announce their legislative priorities for the 2022 legislative session.

Minority Senate Leader Melisa Lopez Franzen was joined by other DFL members at the Capitol including Monday morning, including Ron Latz and Nick Frentz.

Public safety was among the items discussed by DFL members.

“We need to boost our law enforcement resources,” said Sen. Ron-Latz. “We need to boost community confidence in law enforcement. We need to boost our law enforcement accountability. All together, this will boost crime prevention.’

Among the other items discussed Monday were affordable healthcare and housing, as well as keeping teachers in Minnesota, possible tax reductions, and decarbonizing.

You can find their full news conference below. (Article continues below the video.)

The legislative session, which starts Monday, is expected to be centered on how to use the $7.7 billion budget surplus and how to best handle the growing problem of violent crime.

Senate Republicans have already announced their priorities for the session.

As 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS previously reported last Wednesday, Republican lawmakers touched on public safety, education and taxes as priority items.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller stated priority number one was public safety.

“We will put forward proposals to provide funding for more police officers because we know more cops result in less crime. We will put forward proposals to hold violent criminals accountable for their actions,” said Miller.

Miller went on to suggest, “our police officer retention will include bonuses, as well as pension reforms. Our recruitment ideas will include college scholarships for folks who would like to enter law enforcement as a profession.”

RELATED: Minnesota lawmakers eye $7.7 billion surplus, public safety as session starts this week

View the Republicans’ full announcement below.