Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Applauds New Investments in Enhancing Missourians’ Safety
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today applauds the Missouri General Assembly for passing a budget that helps protect life and liberty.
“Protecting the safety and well being of all Missourians and ensuring that law enforcement officials have the tools to adequately do their jobs, are two of the most important responsibilities of any government,” Blunt said. “I am pleased the new budget recognizes the state’s important obligation to ensure the safety of our children and shield Missourians from harm.”
House Bill 8 provides among other things the governor’s recommendations for:
- $5 million increase to maintain services provided to veterans residing in veterans’ homes
- $1.1 million increase to expand crime lab services in Springfield and Jasper County
- $1 million increase to replace equipment for the Water Patrol
- $1 million increase for increased medical costs at veterans’ homes
- $1 million increase for a new fingerprint application identification system that will speed the state’s processing of background checks
- $500,000 increase to provide grants to law enforcement agencies fighting child exploitation on the Internet
- $543,721 increase to add Vietnam War veterans to those recognized by the state for their service to our country
- $237,456 increase to assist state and local agencies in developing and maintaining effective hazard mitigation plans and logistical capability for disaster response and recovery
- $217,836 increase for the Missouri Information Analysis Center to assist in the coordination of homeland security information
- $150,000 increase to support the INOBTR (I Know Better) Campaign that will provide Missourians with information about online predators with the use of innovative strategies to communicate with children and parents about the dangers that can be found on the Internet
- $150,000 increase to improve services for victims of domestic violence by expanding the statewide victim notification system to include orders of protection
After all budget bills are passed and submitted to the governor, the governor’s office will conduct a full review of the state’s budget to ensure it remains balanced and accountable to taxpayers before taking any action on the bills.