Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has reportedly turned down requests for security funding for Catholic schools, even with a substantial $17 billion budget surplus and similar grants made available to public schools.
The Minnesota Catholic Conference, representing several state parishes, has made requests in the past two years for modest security grants aimed at protecting students from potential school shootings. According to the National Catholic Registry, they have stressed the importance of these funds.
“There are around 72,000 students enrolled in various non-public schools across our state, including Catholic, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim institutions,” a letter from the Minnesota Catholic Conference to Walz highlighted.
Referring to the tragic school shooting that occurred in March 2023 at Covenant School in Nashville, Governor Walz noted these incidents emphasize the urgent need for security measures, as the attack was carried out by a 28-year-old identified as transgender.
Despite the Minnesota Catholic Conference’s appeals, it appears that public schools received similar funding for security enhancements.
In their 2023 outreach, the Minnesota Catholic Conference requested Walz’s support in budget recommendations totaling $50 million for improvements in school infrastructure and cybersecurity.
“Since 2020, non-public schools have been advocating for inclusion in a secure school program that benefits districts with emergency response training, security upgrades, and mental health resources,” the letter explained.
However, the existing program does not extend assistance to private or charter schools, even though such institutions have been participating in discussions about school safety.
Notably, these requests were made during a time when Minnesota had a $17.6 billion budget surplus, as observed by the National Catholic Registry.
Following the extension of funding to private schools in 2022, Minnesota bishops had called for special sessions with Walz to push for more comprehensive safety funding, which would have offered $44 per student for security-related expenses across all school types.
The House version of this bill garnered support from multiple members of the Democratic and Labour parties, reflecting bipartisan endorsement.
Meanwhile, Governor Walz utilized state funds in 2023 to establish a “trans evacuation” plan aimed at assisting individuals seeking gender-affirming care, which has made headlines beyond Minnesota.
The shooter involved in the tragic event at a Catholic school in Minneapolis has been charged with taking two lives and wounding 14 others.
