Gov. Tim Walz looks at a street lamp stripped of wire near the Como Lakeside Pavilion. Photo: Torey Van Oot/Axios
Gov. Tim Walz yesterday threw his support behind a bill aimed at curbing copper wire theft, calling it a "top priority."
Why it matters: Local leaders say thieves are stripping — and selling — wires from street lamps and other city infrastructure, leaving streets and parks in the dark.
The city of St. Paul says it spent $1.2 million on related repairs in 2023, four times the 2019 total.
Details: The legislation, working its way through committees, requires that people selling copper wire get a license from the state.
St. Paul police chief Axel Henry said while it might not stop all illicit trade, adding "another layer of security" will make it more difficult for thieves to make a quick buck.
What we're hearing: Walz said that while he hasn't gotten specific commitments from legislative leaders on the bill, he believes it will pass.
"I feel very confident that this is this type of stuff we should be doing this year," the governor said, citing a "relatively low" price tag and early success of a similar effort targeting catalytic converter thefts.
