| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 20, 2002 | Sandra Whalen (651-296-5529) |
Republican House is First to Pass Homeland Defense Package
$22 Million Package Dedicated to Protecting Minnesotans ===================================================
(St. Paul) -- Six months after the worst attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor, leaders of the Minnesota House of Representatives announced today the bi-partisan passage of a strong, $22 million comprehensive homeland defense package targeting anti-terrorism and empowering state and local law enforcement.
The Minnesota Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002, sponsored by House Judiciary Finance Chair Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove) and Crime Prevention Chair John Tuma (R-Northfield) focuses on money for equipment and training to local units of governments, enabling Minnesota's first responders to have the best tools available when they are putting their lives on the line. In addition to this funding, there is a $26 million appropriation to improve the infrastructure for a statewide interoperability communication system contained in the House bonding bill.
"Just as police officers, firefighters and first responders accept the duty to place their lives on the line for the sake of others, it is our responsibility as policy makers to ensure that these brave men and women have every advantage to succeed," said Stanek. "We need to protect them while they are protecting us."
House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty added, "Protecting the safety of our citizens is one of the highest duties of government. Today, the House of Representatives took strong action to upgrade our level of readiness."
The items contained in the bill were developed after numerous legislative hearings and community forums with police, fire and first responders from across Minnesota. "The House Republicans heard our call for help post-September 11th," said Anoka County Sheriff Larry Podany. "In order to ensure the safety of all Minnesotans in the event of a terrorist attack, we
MORE
needed to improve our equipment, training and communications. The House Republican Homeland Defense package does this in a dramatic fashion."
In addition to the money appropriated in the bill, HF 2622 also makes significant new crime policy and prevention measures as well. "This legislation makes sweeping reforms in the state's ability to punish an individual for an act of terrorism, and related crimes, something which has not existed in statute prior to this effort," Tuma said.
Some of the policy provisions in HF 2622 are:
Creates new crimes to deal with terrorism, including a general crime of terrorism, using weapons of mass destruction, malicious placement of explosives, and tougher penalties for hoaxes, threats and obstruction of justice. Consistent with the Federal Patriot Act, provides for a wiretap to be issued for a specific person rather than phone, and expands wiretapping authority to keep up with technology improvements such as cell phones and the Internet. Sets non-citizen drivers' licenses to expire at the same time as their visas. Allows for the closing of otherwise open public meetings for security briefings.
"We owe it to all Minnesotans and the thousands of citizens and public safety practitioners who lost their lives on September 11th to do everything we can to prevent, effectively respond to, and punish acts of terrorism. It would be impossible to neglect to invest significant resources in this effort," Tuma said.
30