NELSON: CONGRESS PROVIDES DRUG TASK FORCE FUNDING

Nelson Helps Lead Effort to Restore Cuts to Law Enforcement Grants

May 15, 2008 - Today, the Senate took an important step to ensure that the nation's crime fighters will have the necessary resources to keep drugs and violence out of our communities, says Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson.

"Once again, Congress is coming to the rescue of states like Nebraska who will suffer from deep federal cuts in funding for anti-drug crime programs like Byrne grants under the Administration’s budget," said Senator Nelson. "This funding is of vital importance and has been shown to drastically reduce the prevalence of drugs and violence in our hometowns. These cuts adversely affect rural areas at a time when fighting devastating drugs like meth is critical."

In December, the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program suffered a 67 percent cut relative to last year's funding level, leaving state and local officials scrambling to fill a gaping hole in law enforcement budgets. A funding bill reported today by the Senate Appropriations Committee would add $490 million in for the current fiscal year to reverse the drastic cut.

Nebraska has used Byrne funds to develop and operate 9 multi-jurisdictional drug task forces and one statewide task force. In 2007, Nebraska's Byrne task forces made 4,380 arrests; seized almost 1,000 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine and over 9,000 pounds of marijuana; developed 511 confidential informants, made 1,412 controlled drug buys, and seized over $1.3 million in cash and goods. Without adequate funding through the Byrne program, the continued operation of these task forces is in jeopardy.

"The loss of Byrne Grant funding would be a burden too large to bear for law enforcement officials," said South Sioux City Police Chief Scott Ford. "It would mean a severe curtailment of drug enforcement efforts and a loss of the resources our officers need to do their job."

This funding has also been utilized to train law enforcement officers, implement and upgrade the State's Automated Fingerprint Identification System, help operate rural Drug Courts; develop and implement a comprehensive treatment program for drug offenders within the State Dept. of Corrections, develop and operate a Drug Prosecution Unit in the Attorney General's office, and develop and operate the computerized Nebraska Criminal Justice Information System.

"Law enforcement officials - in Nebraska and nationwide - spoke with one voice in protesting this drastic and irresponsible cut to a program they depend on to do their jobs," said Senator Nelson. "I have talked to law enforcement officials from across Nebraska and pledged to do my part to restore these funds; I'm pleased that the committee was responsive to our request."

Funding for the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants was included in the Appropriations Committee mark up of the 2008 Iraq War Supplemental.

The supplemental also includes funding for international food aid, construction of temporary military bases, Veteran’s facilities, Iraq and Afghanistan oversight, state unemployment insurance programs, and G.I. Bill funding.

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	Press Release	May 15, 2008
NELSON: CONGRESS PROVIDES DRUG TASK FORCE FUNDING Nelson Helps Lead Effort to Restore Cuts to Law Enforcement Grants May 15, 2008 - Today, the Senate took an important step to ensure that the nation's crime fighters will have the necessary resources to keep drugs and violence out of our communities, says Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson. "Once again, Congress is coming to the rescue of states like Nebraska who will suffer from deep federal cuts in funding for anti-drug crime programs like Byrne grants under the Administration’s budget," said Senator Nelson. "This funding is of vital importance and has been shown to drastically reduce the prevalence of drugs and violence in our hometowns. These cuts adversely affect rural areas at a time when fighting devastating drugs like meth is critical." In December, the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program suffered a 67 percent cut relative to last year's funding level, leaving state and local officials scrambling to fill a gaping hole in law enforcement budgets. A funding bill reported today by the Senate Appropriations Committee would add $490 million in for the current fiscal year to reverse the drastic cut. Nebraska has used Byrne funds to develop and operate 9 multi-jurisdictional drug task forces and one statewide task force. In 2007, Nebraska's Byrne task forces made 4,380 arrests; seized almost 1,000 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine and over 9,000 pounds of marijuana; developed 511 confidential informants, made 1,412 controlled drug buys, and seized over $1.3 million in cash and goods. Without adequate funding through the Byrne program, the continued operation of these task forces is in jeopardy. "The loss of Byrne Grant funding would be a burden too large to bear for law enforcement officials," said South Sioux City Police Chief Scott Ford. "It would mean a severe curtailment of drug enforcement efforts and a loss of the resources our officers need to do their job." This funding has also been utilized to train law enforcement officers, implement and upgrade the State's Automated Fingerprint Identification System, help operate rural Drug Courts; develop and implement a comprehensive treatment program for drug offenders within the State Dept. of Corrections, develop and operate a Drug Prosecution Unit in the Attorney General's office, and develop and operate the computerized Nebraska Criminal Justice Information System. "Law enforcement officials - in Nebraska and nationwide - spoke with one voice in protesting this drastic and irresponsible cut to a program they depend on to do their jobs," said Senator Nelson. "I have talked to law enforcement officials from across Nebraska and pledged to do my part to restore these funds; I'm pleased that the committee was responsive to our request." Funding for the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants was included in the Appropriations Committee mark up of the 2008 Iraq War Supplemental. The supplemental also includes funding for international food aid, construction of temporary military bases, Veteran’s facilities, Iraq and Afghanistan oversight, state unemployment insurance programs, and G.I. Bill funding. ###