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Mike Braun pitches public safety plan, includes harsher sentences and more mental health care

Braun's proposals would pour more money into state police salaries and law enforcement training.
Braun's proposals would pour more money into state police salaries and law enforcement training.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun is proposing a series of policies aimed at public safety.

Braun proposes harsher sentences for people who deal what he describes as "lethal" drugs like fentanyl and meth, and those who commit violent crimes and assault police.

At the same time, Braun wants to continue investments in drug prevention and recovery while allowing more telemedicine in mental health care.

Braun’s proposals would pour more money into state police salaries and law enforcement training. The Republican also wants to  protect qualified immunity for police, which largely shields law enforcement from lawsuits.

Braun received backlash years ago for  his proposal to reform qualified immunity in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, which he quickly dropped.

READ MORE: What do I need on Election Day? The general election is Nov. 5

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Braun said he would also involve more state resources and personnel in helping federal authorities enforce immigration laws — which includes continuing to send National Guard  troops to the border, in cooperation with border state officials.

Brandon is our Statehouse bureau chief. Contact him at  bsmith@ipbs.org  or follow him on Twitter at  @brandonjsmith5 .

Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.