Jeannie Stelten
Sartell
I want to share an update about my efforts to get bullet-proof vests for all First Responders. I sent several emails to the state and federal level, and below are their responses.
Reps. Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach and Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith all said it is a state-level matter so I should work with my state representatives.
State Rep. Tim O’Driscoll responded to me in a helpful manner. He said he’s not sure if there is legislation proposed on that issue as he doesn’t serve on that particular committee. O’Driscoll, whose father was a police chief, promised to look into the matter. He thanked my First Responder son-in-law. In a follow-up from O’Driscoll, he said he learned funding was provided for bullet-proof vests. He said he’d send a follow-up and that the legislative session does not begin until this January.
I also sent a request to Gov. Tim Walz, who signed the historic “One Minnesota Budget” with its priority budgets to make Minnesota safer. Walz wrote that public-safety needs are best met locally and that the “One Minnesota Budget” bill allowed for $300,000 million to be sent Dec. 26, 2023 to local jurisdictions for public-safety aid.
Which leads me to this question: What, if any, money was allotted to Stearns County and area cities and how has it included funds for bullet-proof vests? I’m still hoping for bullet-proof vests for my son-in-law and for all First Responders in Minnesota.