| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 30, 1999 | Jon Peterson (651-296-5989) |
(ST. PAUL) State Representative Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove), Chairman of the House Crime Prevention Committee, outlined several anti-crime initiatives that were considered by the Minnesota House of Representatives last Thursday. Among the legislation was a bill to prevent teachers convicted of criminal sexual conduct from returning to the classroom (House File 14). He was joined by the author of the bill, Rep. Doug Fuller (R-Bemidji) and House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty (R-Eagan).
"Protecting families from crime in their communities is the most important thing government can do for its citizens," said Rep. Stanek. "Enacting a three strikes law for violent felons will keep them off our streets. And continuing funding for the gang strike force will allow them to build on their successes in eradicating Minnesota's gang problems."
Both three strikes and the gang strike force are items on the House Inspection Report, a list of items that House Republicans outlined as their priorities this legislative session. On Thursday the House Judiciary Finance Committee passed the three strikes bill. It and renewing the funding for the gang strike task force are expected to be included in the Omnibus Crime Bill.
House File 14, which the House passed last week, is also an item on the House Inspection Report. "This is an important issue to the people of my district as well as any parent with school aged children," Stanek commented. "I hope the Senate and Governor Ventura will quickly move on this important, common sense legislation."
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