Dayton vetoes bill with harsher penalties for protesters

[TexasTowelie]

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton has vetoed a GOP-backed bill that would increase penalties for protesters who block freeways or transit lines.

The debate started last year in response to protests over officer-involved shootings of two black men that shut down interstates and blocked the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The Legislature's bill would have hit protesters in similar demonstrations with a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

Republicans argued it was necessary to protect public safety. But Dayton vetoed the legislation Saturday night.

The Democratic governor says the guidelines for protesters who block transit was too vague. And he says it's unfair to punish protesters more harshly than people who commit assault or domestic assault.

Read more: http://www.postbulletin.com/news/state/dayton-vetoes-bill-with-harsher-penalties-for-protesters/article_ea201bba-ff48-56d3-bcfd-8a6af449c127.html

[geardaddy]

1. I'm gonna miss Mark.

[dflprincess]

2. Me too.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

3. Tim Walz, should be win, will keep Minnesota on the right path.

Having worked with Republicans in the House for 12 years, Tim will see that Dayton's progressive initiatives remain intact. Tim Walz is no slouch and is an expert debator.

Attend any debate he does. He takes his opponents to the cleaners with the facts. I have known Tim since 2005.