Tuesday, March 7, 2006 For More Information:

Rep. Reichert, 515-281-3221

REICHERT CALLS ON PRESIDENT BUSH TO RESTORE FEDERAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT GRANTS

Des Moines, Iowa - State Representative Nathan Reichert of Muscatine today called on President Bush and the nation's drug czar to restore the drug enforcement grants used in Iowa to combat meth. President Bush's budget eliminated all funding for the drug enforcement grants, called the Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant. John Walters of the White House Office of Drug Control Policy will be in Des Moines today to thank legislators for their work on the meth bill passed last year.

"The drug enforcement grants are keeping our community safe and stopping drug trafficking around Iowa," said Reichert. "After several years of deep cuts, I'm disappointed the federal government may cancel the grants that are putting drug agents on the street and criminals behind bars. I urge President Bush to reconsider his position and fund the drug enforcement grants."

The Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant is a federal aid program designed to fund front line drug enforcement officials in local communities and establish local drug task forces. In Iowa, Byrne-JAG supports 23 drug task forces and 51 drug task force personnel, which is half of all local and state law enforcement personnel dedicated to drug enforcement.

Since 2003, funding for Byrne-JAG has been reduced more than 50% which has reduced the number of drug control projects in Iowa from 61 to 38 and drug enforcement agents from 110 to 65. President Bush has recommended elimination of the program next year.

"After the success of last year's meth bill, it is a shame to see the federal government turn their backs on local law enforcement officers trying to keep drugs out of our community," said Reichert.

Also on Tuesday, Reichert will offer a plan to provide $1.1 million in state funds to keep Iowa's drug task forces operational and drug agents on the ground. The state money would be used to supplement the Byrne-JAG grants that have been reduced over the last few years. The measure will be offered on the Administration & Regulation Appropriations Bill.