Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is under fire from Republican state lawmakers for spending $430,000 of taxpayer money on legal preparation for a congressional hearing. The hearing, which took place in mid-June, was organized by the GOP-controlled House Oversight Committee to examine “sanctuary city” policies implemented by blue state governors. According to invoices obtained by the Star Tribune, Walz’s office hired the global law firm K&L Gates to assist in preparing for the hearing. The legal fees amounted to approximately $516 per hour, with a total expenditure of $430,000 from April 10 until the June 12 hearing.

Republican Criticism and Concerns

Republican Minnesota state lawmakers have expressed significant concern over the governor’s decision to hire external legal counsel instead of utilizing state attorneys and public relations specialists. State Rep. Jim Nash questioned the necessity of such an expenditure, especially given Walz’s extensive experience in Congress. Nash emphasized that both Walz and the state’s Attorney General have congressional backgrounds and could have managed the preparation internally.

State Rep. Harry Niska echoed these sentiments, arguing that there was no legitimate legal interest for the state to incur nearly half a million dollars in what he described as public relations consulting. Niska suggested that the expenditure was more about advancing Walz’s national political ambitions rather than serving Minnesota’s interests.

Governor’s Response and Broader Context

In response to the backlash, Governor Walz and his team have refrained from providing a detailed explanation for the legal expenses. Instead, they criticized Republicans for organizing what they termed a “political stunt” at taxpayer expense. Walz spokesperson Teddy Tschann described the hearing as a spectacle designed for political grandstanding rather than substantive discussion on immigration policies.

Governor Walz himself expressed frustration over the necessity of spending resources on what he viewed as an unproductive exercise. He noted that similar expenditures have been made by other officials, such as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who also incurred significant legal costs for congressional hearings.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between Minnesota’s Democratic leadership and Republican lawmakers over immigration policies and fiscal responsibility. As scrutiny continues, questions remain about the appropriateness of using taxpayer funds for such legal preparations.