America First Policy Institute’s Minnesota Chapter Chair Ryan Wilson Regarding Special Session

Saint Paul, MN—Ryan Wilson, chair of America First Policy Institute's Minnesota chapter, released the following statement about Governor Tim Walz's plans for a special session for Minnesota lawmakers in the aftermath of the shooting last week at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis:

"AFPI Minnesota continues to offer prayers for the victims and families affected by the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church. This heartbreaking event has shaken our state, and our hearts remain with the parish and community as they continue to grieve.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, our priority must be the safety of every child — regardless of the school they attend. For years, non-public schools in Minnesota have pleaded with state leaders to extend school security funding and emergency-response training to their students and faculty. These requests were ignored. That failure must be corrected immediately.

During this special session, legislators should strive to guarantee equal access to security upgrades and safety training for non-public schools — including Catholic, Jewish, and other faith-based institutions. No child should be left unprotected because of where they go to school.

As chair of the America First Policy Institute in Minnesota, I urge our leaders to reject knee-jerk politics and instead focus on practical solutions that prioritize the safety of all children."