Minnetonka, Minn. – This month, the Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) launched an investigation into the Minneapolis City Council’s controversial 2025 city budget, putting in a formal data request under the Data Practices Act. UMLC is looking for more information on the city’s irresponsible cuts to the Minneapolis Police Department.
With the request, UMLC seeks data regarding all internal communications, analysis and reports within the City Council, the Mayor’s office, and the police department about the impact of the cuts, police recruitment numbers and projections, estimated costs, funding management, and more.
The city’s $1.9 billion budget passed on December 12th, overriding Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto from the day prior. In addition to funding cuts to numerous city departments and programs, the new budget also increased property taxes and government spending.
“We are extremely disappointed in the City Council’s irresponsible cuts to the Minneapolis Police Department, which will further exacerbate charter-mandated policing numbers. Too few officers directly impacts community public safety, and the city has both a duty and a legal requirement to ensure the Minneapolis Police Department is fully staffed,” said Doug P. Seaton, Founder and President of the Upper Midwest Law Center. “With this investigation, we will scrutinize the City Council’s management practices, and we are prepared to ensure accountability by city leaders.”
On August 17, 2020, UMLC, on behalf of eight residents and community leaders, filed suit against the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor Frey in Hennepin County District Court alleging they failed to uphold their legal duties to fund and employ an adequate police force as required under the Minneapolis City Charter. UMLC won this legal fight with a victory in the Minnesota Supreme Court on June 20, 2022.
