Public Safety Commissioner Charlie Weaver told the senate transportation budget division last week there was nothing magic in starting the academy in July, 2001. If the necessary funding becomes available, the academy could begin a few months later, he said. We re not here to whine, Weaver told the senate committee. There s a myriad of reasons behind the budget crunch, he explained. There are no bad guys here, Weaver said.
Lawmakers express alarmed over the news.
I do believe that just listening here that we do have a crisis, said Senate Minority Leader Dick Day, R, Owatonna. 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. While saying the mission of the state patrol didn t need redefining, Weaver said they had been struggling to solve the fiscal crunch. He was unwilling, said Weaver, to schedule an academy session for next July with the idea that a fiscal solution might be found in the mean time.