AG19791113 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

October lg~ 1979 Mr. Troy R. Cook Chairman, County Commission PO Box 707 Concord, North Carolina 2g025 Dear Troy: I thought you would be interested to know that the House of Representatives just recently p~ssed the bill to continue the LEA^ program for ~motber three years. I voted in favor of this legislation. This bill~ H.R. 2061~ authorizes the LFLa, A program for three more years, 19g0-1992~ although funding would still be subject to annual review by Con,ess. The main thrL~t of the bill is to reduce the administrative requirements on the use of the LE^A fLLqds. More specifically, it eliminates the requirement that a state submit a plan each year for the use of federal funds and substitutes a t~-ee-year plan. It also simplifies the process by which local units of go~rnment request funds from the state. It eliminates most of the requirements that funds be used for certain ~drpeses only and leaves this decision up to state and local governments. All of this is to cut out the paperwork~ associated with the program~ which has become a red-tape burden~ and to reverse a trend in recent years towards more federal decision-making. I believe that these changes are in keeping with t he original intent of the LEA^ program. It recognizes that crime is a national problem~ but one that must be solved at the local and community level. The House vote to continue the LEAA program was a strong affirmation of support particularly at a time when our efforts in Washington are towards reducing federal spending. As you may recalls earlier this year an attempt was made to eliminate fonding for LEAA from the budget resolution ior 19gO~ but it failed. In a year when even the revenue sharing program came under attack~ this means a Jot. I think it shows that Congress feels our local law enforcement agencies h~ve done a good job with LEAA assistance and can be tr t6ted with more. If I can ever be of assistance to you~ either personally or professionally~ please don't hesitate to contact me. Sincerely~ Bill Hefner Member of ConD'ess BH:clp I~ ~ [ I Enclosure .