The Legislature's Joint Budget Committee on Wednesday approved Gov. Asa Hutchinson's request to transfer $600,000 in rainy-day funds to the state drug crime enforcement and prosecution grant fund.
In a letter to the committee, Hutchinson said the money will support the multi-jurisdictional task forces that investigate and prosecute drug crimes.
Task force funding normally is provided through the U.S. Department of Justice's Edward R. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, but the money has been held up in litigation over the enforcement of federal immigration policies, Hutchinson's office said in a news release.
Funding pays for equipment, salaries and operational expenses for 20 task forces in Arkansas. The task forces allow local police, sheriffs and prosecutors to cooperate and coordinate in combating the sale of illegal drugs.
Hutchinson said he released the $600,000 on Wednesday, and will continue to work with legislative leaders and Arkansas' congressional delegation to find a long-term solution to support the task forces.
There is now $17.9 million left in the state's rainy-day fund, said Kevin Anderson, assistant director of fiscal services for the Bureau of Legislative Research.
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A Section on 03/08/2018