July 12, 2004

On June 26, the Criminal and Social Justice Committee heard from Tim Quinn, Chief of Staff for the COPS Office at the U.S. Department of Justice. Quinn updated the mayors on FY 2004 funding availability, and the FY 2005 budget request for his office. He also discussed a wide variety of community policing issues and informational resources available from the COPS Office.

The meeting was chaired by Elizabeth (NJ) Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, and the remainder of the discussions centered on resolutions.

Federal Homeland Security Funding for First Responders calls for the creation of a new formula-based first responder funding program with direct local assistance and maximum flexibility.

Requiring Puerto Rico to Distribute Federal First Responder Assistance to Local Governments requests the intervention of the Department of Homeland Security to mandate that Puerto Rico distribute the 80 percent of Homeland Security funds to local units of government.

Support for Fire Grants Program calls for full funding and reauthorization of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, and encourages Congress to ensure that the program is administered by the U.S. Fire Administration.

Emergency Management Performance Grant urges Congress to reject the Administration's proposed 25 percent cap on the use of EMPG funds for personnel; and calls for full funding.

Adopting Public Safety Communications Interoperability Standards resolves that The United States Conference of Mayors adopts and promotes the use of the "Project-25" suite of standards for public safety communications in all cities.

The COPS Program urges that COPS funding be fully maintained in FY 2005; and calls for new legislation to reauthorize the COPS program.

The Local Law Enforcement Block Grant supports the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant and urges that it not be merged with the state-based Byrne Grant program.

Measure to Amend the C.L.E.A.R. and H.S.E.A. Acts of 2003 urges Congress to amend these proposed acts to reflect opposition to additional un-funded federal mandates, opposition to distracting local and state law enforcement from their primary mission, and concerns about potential undermining of previous federal legislation that protects immigrant victims.

Domestic Violence and International Human Rights Abuse opposes violent crimes against women and strongly supports programs promoting comprehensive community responses, and supports full funding for Violence Against Women Act programs as well as efforts which help stop the oppression of women throughout the world.

Promoting Safe, Successful Re-Entry and Self'sufficiency for People Leaving Jail or Prison supports a broad agenda on the issue of re-entry including new federal legislation.

Expansion of First Responder Designation to Front-Line Municipal Employees calls on Congress to designate all front-line city employees as eligible for federal funding.

Support of the Report from the Task Force on State and Local Homeland Security Funding calls on Congress to include the recommended changes in appropriations and authorization bills.

Opposition to Proposed Funding Cuts in Federal Homeland Security Programs opposes cuts in federal homeland security assistance and calls on Congress to approve level funding for first responder programs for FY 2005.