“These massive cuts to the Byrne/JAG program will devastate state law enforcement efforts against illegal drug manufacturing and trafficking,” Six said. “These funds have helped programs like the Southeast and Southwest Kansas Drug Task Forces that have cut down on illegal drugs and the violent crime associated with drugs.”
Byrne-JAG is currently the only source of funding available to local and state law enforcement for multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement, including methamphetamine initiatives, and is a critical source of funds for drug courts, law enforcement collaboration, gang prevention, and prisoner reentry programs.
In FY 2007, the Byrne-JAG program was funded at $520 million. For FY 2008, the Senate had originally funded the Byrne-JAG program at $660 million and the House at $600 million in their respective appropriations bills. However, in the omnibus FY 2008 appropriations bill signed into law in December of 2007, the Byrne-JAG program funding was cut to $170 million for the coming year – a 67 percent decrease from 2007 funding levels.
This dramatic cut in Byrne/JAG funding will force state law enforcement agencies to shut down multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces, lay off police and prosecutors and cease to fund programs proven to assist drug-addicted citizens in becoming productive members of society. These cuts will directly effect the Attorney General’s Office as the salary of one prosecutor is funded through this grant.
“I urge Congress to restore this funding immediately so that we can continue to protect Kansas citizens from drug abuse, crime and violence,” Six said. “This funding is critical to many law enforcement efforts and programs in Kansas.”
A letter was sent to the leadership in Congress from 56 Attorneys General urging that the funding be restored in this year’s supplemental appropriations bill.
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