T.W. Budig ECM capitol reporter An effort to revive the budget-bitten 2001 Minnesota State Patrol academy is afoot at the Minnesota Legislature. If required funding were available, the academy could begin a few months later, he said.
Lawmakers express alarm over the news.
Chairman Dean Johnson, DFL, Willmar, asked Weaver if the patrol needed to redefine its mission in the face of the budgeting difficulties. Johnson also asked Weaver for ideas on how to fund an academy session next summer. He was unwilling, said Weaver, to schedule an academy session for next July with the idea that a fiscal solution would be found in the mean time. It's not fair to ask people to quite jobs or move in preparation for training only to later cancel it, said Weaver. Johnson said he thought it prudent that House and Senate leaders meet to find a solution for funding dilemma.