WINONA, Minn. – Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, said that anti-police activists have been correctly rebuked by Minneapolis voters who Tuesday defeated a plan to remake the city Police Department into a Public Safety Department. Miller said the plan constituted defunding the police, which he called “never a good idea.” Whether the proposal actually constituted “defunding” has been a contentious Republican talking point nationally, and Miller, in a prepared statement, sidestepped supporting his point. He went no further than this: “I’m happy the residents of Minneapolis have made it clear they are not on board with the anti-police rhetoric.” Miller said a professional, trained and properly staffed police force is crucial in keeping communities safe.
