Minnesota would spend more than $1 billion on public safety during the next two years, resulting in spending cuts on programs ranging from the state's prison system to its Department of Human Rights.

The bill, approved Thursday by the House largely on a party-line vote, was characterized by Republicans as a prudent response to the state's budget crisis.

But members of the chamber's DFL minority and department commissioners facing cuts said the bill is riddled with flaws that will imperil the safety of Minnesotans while saddling struggling local governments with costs that would be shifted from the state. House Minority Leader Matt Dean, R-Dellwood called the bill, which passed 71-59, "a very balanced bill that protects our citizens." "This bill is just a plan to cut public safety and will jeopardize public safety," said Rep. Joe Mullery, DFL-Minneapolis. The bill tells Minnesotans that "if you want to protect yourself, you've got to pay for it, instead of the state." Amid three hours of wrangling over budget cuts, there was scant discussion about two major changes to state law that would overhaul the sentencing of sex offenders and the way young prostitutes are treated. The bill would keep sex offenders in prison indefinitely instead of diverting them to a costly and controversial state program that has civilly committed hundreds of offenders to state treatment centers. Separately, the bill would classify people younger than 18 who are engaged in prostitution as "sexually exploited youth" who could no longer be prosecuted. The bill also provides funding for the state's courts during the next two years. The Senate passed its version of it earlier this week.